Early Reactions from NYFF “Secret” Screening of Steven Spielberg’s LINCOLN
A secret screening for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming political drama LINCOLN was held at the New York Film Festival and early reactions have been mixed so far. More after the jump! The film focuses on the last four months of Lincoln’s (Daniel Day-Lewis) life and the political strategizing he undertook at the close of the Civil War to ensure that slavery would be forever outlawed. Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, John Hawkes, Michael Stuhlbarg, David Strathairn, Walton Goggins, David Oyelowo, Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce McGill, Jackie Earle Haley, Lee Pace, and Jared Harris star. Lincoln opens November 16th.
Steven Spielberg directs two-time Academy Award® winner Daniel Day-Lewis in “Lincoln,” a revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President’s tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.
Lincoln’s got the best ensemble of bearded character actors ever. The quality of the movie varies wildly based on how many are on screen. — kateyrich (@kateyrich) October 9, 2012
Best parts of LINCOLN are the 19th century In The Loop you never knew you wanted. The rest can feel like a bear. — kateyrich (@kateyrich) October 9, 2012
Also met @joereid long enough to form Oscar nerd hive mind opinion that Tommy Lee Jones can easily win Supporting Actor. He steals Lincoln — kateyrich (@kateyrich) October 9, 2012
I loved a lot about Lincoln, especially the performances from every single character actor in existence. Day Lewis is a beast. — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) October 9, 2012
The perfs in Lincoln are beyond great, but films that try to do as much as that one tries to do almost always sacrifice plot & character — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) October 9, 2012
When Lincoln is about a man who must turn his back on himself and his own values (and family) in order to change a nation, it’s riveting — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) October 9, 2012
Spielberg’s Lincoln turns a defining moment in history into a human story. Day-Lewis is dynamic, but it’s a great ensemble piece. #NYFF
— Matt Patches (@misterpatches) October 9, 2012
Lincoln is heavy on the politics. But I loved all the behind-the-curtain government stuff. Kushner’s playwright roots all over it. #NYFF — Matt Patches (@misterpatches) October 9, 2012
And man, there is so much comedy in Lincoln! Spielberg doesn’t shy away from the craziness of Congress, even in a dire scenario. — Matt Patches (@misterpatches) October 9, 2012
Last 140 character Lincoln thought: James Spader steals the show. #NYFF — Matt Patches (@misterpatches) October 9, 2012
Spielberg’s LINCOLN is the best film Roberto Rossellini never made. Also one of the best Spielberg did make. #notareview — Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) October 9, 2012
Also I think Kushner is as much the auteur of LINCOLN as Spielberg is. His understanding of myth, process, history is all over this. — Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) October 9, 2012
LINCOLN (C). Abraham Lincoln: Vote Hunter. best movie ever made for A&E? Spielberg restrained. Musty, redundant, bearded.ddl & tlj = great — david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) October 9, 2012
LINCOLN is Spielberg’s smallest film since ALWAYS. best when portraying a man isolated by incalculable burden. script divided against itself — david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) October 9, 2012
LINCOLN: Sophisticated, erudite political procedural from Spielberg and Kushner. Genuinely superb. #nyff
— Reverse Shot (@reverse_shot) October 9, 2012
Lincoln movie is unlike any other Spielberg movie in that it’s almost entirely driven by dialogue instead of action or visuals #NYFF — Andrew Ku (@PlaybillAndrewK) October 9, 2012
Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader and Sally Field are standouts in the cast of Lincoln — Andrew Ku (@PlaybillAndrewK) October 9, 2012
LINCOLN soars and Spielbergs best in years #NYFF — Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) October 9, 2012
Tommy Lee Jones, James spader standouts.Sally field is #Oscar worthy too — Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) October 9, 2012
Spielberg in definite contention for Oscar number three.#NYFF #LINCOLN — Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) October 9, 2012
Smartly written, politically emotional.Very well directed. — Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) October 9, 2012
#lincoln solid historical entertainment. Surprised by its humor. Better than Amistad but in same vein. #nyff 1/4 — Murtada Elfadl (@ME_Says) October 9, 2012
#Lincoln Day Lewis is v good but it’s a quiet performance without an emotional arc. Film is about legislation after all. #NYFF 2/4 — Murtada Elfadl (@ME_Says) October 9, 2012
#Lincoln Tommy Lee Jones has the flashy emotional part with big scenes. He will an awards magnet this year #NYFF — Murtada Elfadl (@ME_Says) October 9, 2012
#Lincoln makes a sorta thriller out of passing law. Misses in connecting story to real people except briefly with Tommy Lee — Murtada Elfadl (@ME_Says) October 9, 2012
Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field are great. This could very well be Oscar no. 3 for DDL. #Lincoln — Devin Fuller (@DevFull) October 9, 2012
Tommy Lee Jones just locked down that Supporting Actor nom #AmazingPerformance #Lincoln #NYFF
— The NYC Film Chick (@TheNYCFilmChick) October 9, 2012
Lincoln: Daniel Day-Lewis completely embodies the POTUS. Kushner’s writing is brilliant. Spielberg works magic. #NYFF
— michelle (@popgirlnyc) October 9, 2012
Daniel Day-Lewis much more understated and playful than the scenery-chewing trailer suggests. #nyff #lincoln — Steven Zeitchik (@ZeitchikLAT) October 9, 2012