REVIEW: LINCOLN

4 Scores/5

The Best Wing.

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones & Joesph Gordon-Levitt. Director: Steven Speilberg.

"Whatever you are, be a good one", reads an unopened card on this writers bedside table. The word of Abraham Lincoln serving as inspiration everyday when I wake up. Want to see just how inspiring this man really is? In the same week as President Barack Obama got inaugurated for a second term in office on Martin Luther King Jr. day saw the release of 'Lincoln'. A brave and heartfelt, genuine individual in immense and influential power. The great American president who will forever be known for proclaiming emancipation and with a stroke of a pen and casting of votes freed the slaves.

Not the only film, that deals with the issues of slavery, Quentin Tarantino's latest classic with Jamie Foxx, Christophe Waltz and Leo DiCaprio shoots from the hip with furious vengeance. As great as that film is if you want a dose of history and reality then Speilberg's latest galloping off the momentum of 'War Horse' is for you. Just so you know too, Abraham Lincoln may have freed the slaves by day, but he didn't slay vampires at night, although last years 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' was a bit of glorious fun and with a young Liam Neeson look-alike taking the top hat and axe, we caught a glimpse of who could very well play President.

Still even though Liam Neeson is apparently in everything he's not in this. The man elected to play Abe in 'Lincoln' is none other than legendary role-maker Daniel Day-Lewis and the Academy favorite looks set to lead an impressive bunch of Best Actor nominations this year including the worthy Hugh Jackman ('Les Miserables'), Denzel Washington ('Flight') and Bradley Cooper ('Silver Linings Playbook'). With a chameleonic, charismatic and classic performance Day-Lewis will have his day again. Inspiring tears of joy and pain and shivers of fear and hope this is one hell of an iconic role, figured out brilliantly. They may as well mold gold top hats and beards on to this years Oscars.

The rest of the Academy talent on display here could polish off the gold too. Sally Field's conflicted but classic performance puts her in contention here right behind the President as a committed and dedicated First Lady. Still it's Tommy Lee Jones that lead the 12 nominations and even Daniel Day-Lewis here. With a heartfelt and soulful performance the former winner could strike gold yet again, shouting and fighting for the rights of others so justly. Tommy Lee is still on the top of his game and with 'Lincoln' it's the time the world finally saw it. It's only right. Even the underused but still shown and proved Joesph Gorden-Levitt stirs the soul and heart strings with a moving, coming of age performance. With this and all the work this man has done he's right there with Tom Hardy as the best actor of the moment. Expect Joe-Levitt to join his fellow Oscar winning co-stars in the Academy one day too.

Speilberg yet again has directed with distinction. The latter 'War Horse', 'Lincoln' daylook to just be as epic as the 'Jaws' and 'Jurrasic' periods. The special effects may have been replaced by simple but classic cinematography but the affect is still the same...a classic cause. The director of our modern times shows no signs of slowing down even in his more subtle, slow-buring work. With a great historical and moral lesson, he paints one of the most poignant portraits of American legend for everyone to see...and so they should. Whatever he does, it's a great one. Top hats off. TIM DAVID HARVEY.