Lincoln - Movie Review

I've always been scared of watching Steven Spielberg's movies. They are unnaturally and unnecessarily long; I seem to agree with Alfred Hitchcock's view: the duration of a film must be directly proportional to the bowel holding capacity of men. But then, there was Daniel Day Lewis too, and I hadn't seen him since 'My Left Foot'. That's what prompted me to watch this film in the first place.

Now, here's a personal confession - I loved Daniel Day Lewis since I first saw him in 'My Left Foot', and I don't know till day how he really looks. It's just hard to imagine him anything beside the character or role he plays. And that must be the true hallmark of an artist: he has no face. And that's where I find affirmation to my personal motto: handsome is what handsome does. Looks really have nothing to do with it. I don't even want to find out how he looks, there's just no inclination.

Now, about the movie. This film is an extensive summary of the political and social atmosphere in 1865 in America for the abolishing slavery. The best description of the plot, the movie and what really happened then is provided by the party head for Radical Republic front in the Republican Party, by Thaddeus Stevens, -

The greatest measure of the Nineteenth Century. Passed by corruption, aided and abetted by the purest man in America. 

The movie flows at an appropriate speed, with a few witty sequences, enough to keep you engaged and entertained. The screenplay was also intense, the make-up and characterization was perfect. I am confident for Daniel Day Lewis' Best Actor Oscar; but the film doesn't deserve as Best Director or a Best Film nomination. Surprisingly, there were some hitches in direction and production values. I wonder if the Academy didn't notice or skipped it... 'Cloud Atlas' was a better choice for both Best Direction and Best Film categories. But am used to it now: every year one such masterpiece gets the famous Oscar snub (Remember INCEPTION?)

Tommy Lee Jones did great justice to the role of Thaddeus Stevens, complimenting Daniel Day Lewis beautifully on screen. His dialogue delivery was the best, bringing laughter in an otherwise "serious, war drama". His earnest retorts were sometimes more interesting than the quotes and short stories by Lincoln himself. Joseph Gordon-Lewitt once again made me feel he's over-rated, as Lincoln's first born.

Apart from the history lesson, there's so much to be learnt here. The very things that we take for granted so easily, without a thought, was actually thought of worth fighting for - and dying for - back then. One speaker took the floor and remarked opposing President Lincoln's 13th amendment to abolish slavery, " [...] He's asking us to free these Negroes today... tomorrow he'll ask us to give them voting rights... what's next? Voting rights for women???!"

That moment everyone in the House of Representatives stood up unanimously against the illogical, "unnatural" thought on the mention of voting rights for women. Can we imagine what kind of a world it would have been had Lincoln's 13th amendment would have never seen the light of the day? No, we cannot fathom such a travesty. Because we are far too used to freedom and the idea of being equal. Many women still pass their right to vote as if it was nothing. But it is certainly a perspective to see men dying for a principle... and hundred thousand corpses being laid down for yet another principle of justice.

Abraham Lincoln was corrupt too, but that corruption was for a purpose - something higher to aspire for; and I can't help but contextualizing the man and his principles in the times that we live in today. If we thought our political system is bad, well take a look at that social and political environment - where they made history out of a challenge so immense and so important. If you thought your own life was hell, take a look at the conflict and curse of being a man, husband, father and a President.

The job of a compass is to point to true North. That's all it does. Now, it doesn't tell you about the rocks, cliffs, and swamps that you might encounter while pursuing that direction. And if you, let's say, get stuck in the swamp, what is the point of knowing true North??"

Am just glad to have my idea of a true man converging with the man and the man who played his character.

This film shows us how important history is, and why honesty is such a virtue even today, when there's none to be had or given.

And then there were people who snored, and the ones who left the theater after 10 mins. Or so.

Movie Review: Cloud Atlas

Watch this film for the first time, and you'll know that you'll want to watch it again. The film is elemental: touching from the core of the abstracts of a great story, concept, creativity, substance and message to the crude essentials of film-making - great direction, an engaging cinematography, meaty script (adapted from a book by the same name by David Mitchell, who is also credited as the writer on the film) and a haunting soundtrack. Yes, this film is intoxicating.

The film tests one's patience as the gravity of the stories unfold, making the film an experience in itself. As the connections become clearer, one cannot help but anticipate the climax that's justly rewarding. Some may find the preaching getting heavier, and uncalled for, towards the end. But then, cinema is all about drama. And this drama is captivating, to say the least.

The stories are complex, brilliantly intertwined and yes, they demand and deserve your complete attention. Seven lifetimes and stories keep interchanging across time, asking you the question what truly lasts forever. If you're excited by alternate realities and parallel universes, then this film will entertain you to no end. Even if you see it as a linear story-telling, the message will find a way right into you. It is that simple, too. 

The stories are intense, with a stellar soundtrack to accompany it. I think this movie will win an Oscar in the Best Make-Up category. You just have to see Tom Hank's avatars to believe their brilliance and creative bent. Visually stunning (that is a given, considering the fact that these guys gave us the Matrix!) and remarkably compelling, the tone of the film is set to move you.

This is an adventure of film-making itself, with directors Lana and Andy Wachowski (the illuminating 'Matrix' film series) and Tom Tykwer ('Run Lola, Run' and the amazing 'Perfume: Story of a Murderer') and actors like Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, who prove that they were born for stuff made up of celluloid.

This is an expensive film, made on a budget of around $102 million. It is also an ambitious film: attempting to connect everything, six lifetimes with an ensemble of a superb cast that is creatively and challengingly recycled. The film is a must-watch for the dedicated performances of seasoned actors like Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant (surprise, surprise), Hugo Weaving and Jim Broadbent. Even the new generation of actors like Jim Sturgess and Ben Winshaw (the actor shows us he's more than just "cute" - one is reminded of a younger Leonardo DiCaprio when the latter started out as an eye-candy in Titanic to being one of the most dedicated actors of our time) bring a lot of energy on the screen.

The film explores your heart, filling you with myriad emotions without a warning. To me, the film is a brilliant synergy-- a connection with sincere performances, adept storytelling and a scintillating soundtrack, that accompanies every emotion with élan and depth. It is truly a timeless masterpiece. Strange that mortal men, with all their faults and shortcomings, can come up with something so compellingly pure and inspiring.