LINCOLN

Steven Spielberg’s LINCOLN is an engrossing, meticulously made drama about President Abraham Lincoln’s effort to pass the Thirteenth Amendment in January 1865. Its moral plea against slavery, racism, and prejudice is powerful. Daniel Day-Lewis leads superb performances, and the period detail is exquisite.

The film’s strengths come with serious costs. It contains strong, anachronistic foul language, strong war violence, and an attitude that political bribery and deception can be justified by a good outcome. It also presents a selective account of Lincoln and the Civil War, so it should not replace serious study of the historical record.

If you are a discerning adult prepared to engage those concerns, LINCOLN is worth seeing. For children and young teens, choose something else.

In January 1865, President Abraham Lincoln believes slavery will never be abolished unless Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment immediately. With victory in the Civil War near, he works to persuade members of the House of Representatives to support the amendment.

Around the political struggle are Lincoln’s relationships with his wife, Mary, and their two remaining sons, young Todd and adult son Robert. Lincoln’s storytelling wit brings occasional lightness to the serious drama.

Four stars means this is a highly accomplished film. LINCOLN is engrossing and captivating, with superb performances, including Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln. Its exquisite period detail creates a meticulous depiction of the past, while the serious drama is occasionally lightened by Lincoln’s fabled storytelling wit.

A couple of awkward scenes do not play well, including the opening scene involving the Gettysburg Address. Even so, the film’s performances and craftsmanship make it a strong work that is certain to attract major awards-season attention.

LINCOLN exalts the effort to abolish slavery and presents a strong moral plea against slavery, racism, and prejudice. The film gives particular weight to Lincoln’s fight for the Thirteenth Amendment and includes some religious references, including people looking to God when the amendment passes, verbal references to God, a “God bless you,” and the singing of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” which references the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The film offers only limited attention to Lincoln’s suspension of civil rights during the war, including habeas corpus and freedom of the press. It also largely omits historical details that could tarnish Lincoln’s reputation, including his earlier support for a proposed Thirteenth Amendment that would have perpetuated slavery. The political fight is presented with nuance, but the film suggests that achieving the good end of outlawing slavery can justify bribery, deception, and nearly lying—or, at least, obscuring the truth.

Some opponents of the amendment invoke God to argue that Black people were created inferior to white people, putting faith in God in a negative light. The film’s moral concern for justice is commendable, but its selective history and limited religious vision leave important questions unanswered.

The film’s central longing is for justice and freedom from oppression. Scripture says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

LINCOLN is a brilliantly performed, meticulously crafted moral drama, but it carries strong language, violence, selective history, and troubling ideas about political means. Discerning adults may find it worth the trip; children and young teens should stay home. For a family-friendly alternative, see.