Lincoln 2012 Spielberg, Daniel Day-Lewis

My second view of this fine film. Lincoln is not an idealist, but a pragmatic man of action, who, though clear about his inner moral compass, is committed to victory and the vow of securing justice, rather than any abstract principle. What drives him is no obsession with dying for some cause (though he did), but a humane commitment to victory against suffering, springing not only from slavery, but also war.The film is about how he resorts to subterfuge and manouver to pass the legislation to abolish slavery forever.  However he does state his ideology as based on the "axiom" of "equality". A spellbinder.
Old Review
A O Scott:"......this is, in other words, less a biopic than a political thriller, a civics lesson that is energetically staged and alive with moral energy.......“Lincoln” is a rough and noble democratic masterpiece — an omen, perhaps, that movies for the people shall not perish from the earth.......Go see this movie. Take your children, even though they may occasionally be confused or fidgety. Boredom and confusion are also part of democracy, after all. “Lincoln” is a rough and noble democratic masterpiece — an omen, perhaps, that movies for the people shall not perish from the earth."

Lincoln

Steven Spielberg, 2012

From the misty heights of legend, Lincoln is brought to earth through this minutely etched portrait of a practical politician, no less great for his wiliness. The temptation is natural to draw a parallel with the final years of Gandhi's life. Spielberg has created a timeless and authentic sculpture, comparable to what Attenborough did for Gandhi. Both men were yardsticks unto themselves, drawing inspiration from their respective faiths, combining lofty idealism with the soil of ordinary life. A distinction could be made in their respective view of means and ends, but that would amount to hair splitting, given the different circumstances.In one of the brilliant moments, Lincoln correlates his ideological core of faith with one of Euclid's axioms. While it is futile to compare the stature of the two men, Spielberg's achievement is perhaps greater than Attenborough's, in terms of aesthetics, comprehension of the subject, and being less sentimental, reverence for his suybject notwithstanding. Indeed, this is the Spielberg of the dazzling historical canvas, Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. No wonder since David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia was Spielberg's first inspiration, which decided him on his choice of career. Tentatively, a great movie.