Movie Review: LINCOLN

DreamWorks film "Lincoln" (2012)

(Houston, Texas)  Movies allow us time travel, expanding our horizons, opening us sometimes to depths of emotion we did not realize we carried. History’s power as storyteller derives from actual events; yet knowing the end of the story, the dramatic depiction still holds our attention. It happened to me watching the new movie “Lincoln.” I wasn't impatient for the end of the movie, and hardly noticed its extreme length. I rarely recommend the time and money this film requires of its viewers, but I do today.

The adept telling of history strengthens the foundation of our Republic, grounding it ever stronger in the truth; allowing viewers to probe their ordinary world with the tools of experience. Director Steven Spielberg accomplishes the impossible task of telling Lincoln’s story with aplomb, placing special emphasis on the passing of the 13^th Amendment by Congress in 1865. This central narrative showed how the abolition of slavery effected the drive toward peace in the Civil War.

Euclid’s simple scientific truth profoundly affected Lincoln’s thinking about human equality. Elemental to the geometry of Euclid was this statement, “things which are equal to the same thing are equal to each other.” Abraham Lincoln likened this principle as truth that could be applied to the fight against slavery: he saw the “same thing” as God; therefore, as equals created in God’s image, African slaves were equal to white Americans, however difficult the consequence of this truth. This is the only scene I will discuss, and even though it is short, its power is immense: Lincoln steadfastly believed equality under law was worth defending, even through the shedding of blood.  

The acting ensemble, including dozens of politicians, generals, and White House personnel, gave the appearance of reality while not taking the spotlight from the main character. Spielberg’s use of light in profile shots formed a corona from the differentiated rays of the sun blasting around Lincoln’s body in many scenes. This bright aura reflects his uncommon magnanimity; another way of visually showing the saintly reverence Lincoln deserves. Most of what we've learned about history is wrong, but this movie gives a fair account. The South is not demonized, the Congress is shown for what it is (a hyper-lobbied mess), Lincoln struggled with a difficult family life as the war raged, and the force of personality often superseded his political and intellectual talent.

The pantheon of Spielberg classics receives another member into its prestigious Hall of Fame. This movie is a national treasure and should not be missed. (150 minutes, DreamWorks)

©Mark H. Pillsbury

The Second Obama Presidency

A window into Obama's second term actually happened just days before last fall’s general election when the President talked on the telephone with Des Moines Register [DMR] editors about their endorsement (October 25, 2012).

Obama didn't run on an overt second term agenda, and has not stressed details since the election; nevertheless, his main points in the interview were: 

• Continue growing “in-sourced” manufacturing jobs instead of losing them overseas
• In education he identified the need for improvement in STEM topics and more community college access
• The energy plan concentrated on alternative fuels, long-lasting batteries, and fuel efficient cars.
• Realistic immigration reform is now possible because the Republicans have scared all the Hispanics into the Democratic Party and finally there is enough political will to attempt this.
• Finally, he discussed deficit reduction through negotiating with the Republican House of Representatives in what he named the “Grand Bargain.” 

Editors brought him back to their number one issue which was economic growth. [Like the DMR editors, my perspective is that the other issues he discussed weren't common topics on the campaign trail; my concern therefore, on the precipice of his second term, is that they will distract from what needs to be done in the next few weeks].

During the interview, the President said corporate profits were at “record levels,” and big companies were “awash in cash.” [But why are corporations on the sidelines as far as spending for growth, and new hiring? Will the Obama administration consider the current oppressive regulatory environment or how businesses fear the upcoming Obama-care mandates?]

In October, what was said to be the “grand bargain,” which was $2.50 worth of budget cuts for every dollar in spending on programs, was essentially achieved during the fiscal cliff deal; however many of the Simpson-Bowles targets weren't met. [How serious is the President about either controlling spending, or negotiating with Congress? The immediate major hurdle for the his new administration: the fight over raising the debt ceiling].

The President says this fight is not about new spending; instead, raising the debt ceiling is necessary so the US Government can “pay our bills.” In his press conference today he did not sound like a man ready to negotiate. I ran across a well-written letter this weekend; if only the President read his mail:

©Mark H. Pillsbury