The Agency's Posts

Grammys 2013: The performance mash-ups to dread: The best thing theGrammystelecast attempts to do is also its most tricky feat to accomplish:....
Read More>

Review: Laughs stolen in 'Identity Thief': The script for this revenge/road trip farce is a mess, but Melissa McCarthy is a gem and Jason....
Read More>

Kelly McGillis recalls making the 1986 blockbuster 'Top Gun': “I feel the need, the need for speed” Maverick and Goose are flying high once....
Read More>

Kristen Wiig joins Will Ferrell in 'Anchorman' sequel: Kristen Wiigis joining the cast ofWill Ferrell's "Anchorman" sequel. Knights of....
Read More>

'Lincoln' pierced ears, 'Argo' pecs? Talk about period drama: With his concave cheekbones, lanky build and grooved brow,Daniel Day-LewisreplicatesAbraham....
Read More>

De Niro's thoughts on some of his most memorable films: cWith a career that stretches back to the 1960s,Robert De Nirohas been in more than his share....
Read More>

Saturday NIght Movie Pick: <iframe width="350" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NApJ
Read More>

Justin Timberlake to perform at the Grammy Awards: TheGrammy Awardsstill have the ability to surprise. The Recording Academy unveiled this morning....
Read More>

Rediscovering Lee Marvin's gritty brilliance: The versatile Oscar-winner, who died at 63 in 1987, is the subject of a new biography, a....
Read More>

W. Kamau Bell gets talk-show lessons from Chris Rock: W. Kamau Bell, host of FX's "Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell," said he is trying....
Read More>

Amanda Seyfried says 'Mean Girls' was her 'best work': Amanda Seyfriedis getting quite a bit of love for her latest films "Lovelace" and"
Read More>

SAG Awards 2013: 'Argo' a go-go; Day-Lewis now Oscar frontrunner: A big win for Ben Affleck and cast raises the film's best picture chances in the Oscar race,....
Read More>

Bono reveals details about new U2 studio album: A newU2album is rattling (and humming) to life. Inan interviewwith England's Sun newspaper,....
Read More>

Jenna Lyons, the Woman Who Dresses America: IT’S hard to miss Jenna Lyons. About nine feet tall and slim as a mink, often....
Read More>
'Lincoln' sets off on awards campaign trail
Posted on: 10/09/12
Share/Save/Bookmark
 

A surprise screening of Steven Spielberg's new film at the New York Film Festival bolsters its status as a contender.



NEW YORK — "Lincoln," Steven Spielberg's heavily anticipated historical drama about several critical weeks late in the life of the 16th U.S. president, made its debut at an unannounced screening at the New York Film FestivalMonday night, where it got off to a strong if not spectacular awards-season start.

"This is a journey for me unlike any other," Spielberg told an adoring crowd before the screening, "a journey through history I hoped would never end."

Then he unveiled the film — though termed "unfinished," only technical aspects remain to be completed — to an appreciative if not overwhelmingly loud festival audience.

Centering on Abraham Lincoln's attempt to pass the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery in the waning days of the Civil War, the movie is dialogue-heavy, focusing on legislative process and party politics as Lincoln and his aides try to win the necessary votes from both fellow Republicans andDemocrats across the aisle.

There is also a moral crisis at the center of the film, as Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) is forced to confront the fact that expediting the end of the war could mean jeopardizing the passage of the amendment. Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd (Sally Field), are also locked in a battle over whether to allow son Robert to enlist in a conflict that appears to be over.

The "Lincoln" screening is a critical first stop for the Nov. 9 Disney release, which has been touted as an Oscar front-runner practically from when its production was announced. It is also an important test for Spielberg and his DreamWorksstudio; the legendary director's 2011 film, "War Horse," was a modest performer at the box office and with award voters. ("Lincoln" will premiere in Los Angeles as the closing-night film of the AFI Fest on Nov. 8.)

After the screening, "Lincoln's" awards picture clarified somewhat. Its seriousness of purpose and modern echoes — it is sure to draw comparisons to logjams in the modern Congress — bolster its awards pedigree.

But the movie also plays on the talky side; to a great extent it is devoid of the histrionics and schmaltz that populate some awards contenders.

Judging by both the events on-screen and in the room, Day-Lewis, a longtime Oscar favorite, solidified his status as a lead actor contender. He plays the lead role with an understated quality, often speaking in quiet, lyrical tones instead of the more scenery-chewing moments glimpsed in the trailer.

His head often slightly bowed and his voice a quavering drawl that reminded a few filmgoers of Bill Clinton, Lincoln is prone to pausing and telling stories or jokes, which prompt even some aides to roll their eyes.

Day-Lewis' Lincoln also tends to grandiloquence even in private speech; when he utters the line "time is the great thickener of all things," Secretary of State George Seward (David Strathairn) first nods in agreement, then quips, "Actually, I have no idea what you meant by that."

Much of the comic relief comes from Tommy Lee Jones, who as the aggressively liberal congressman Thaddeus Stevens gets off searing insults of the opposition.

Before the screening, actors from the film, including Field, Strathairn and Gloria Reuben as well as screenwriter Tony Kushner, mingled at a reception.

While the audience was peppered with insiders — including film-world figures such as producer Scott Rudin — the room also featured a larger number of ordinary filmgoers who weren't even sure what movie they were about to see.

Before the movie began, Film Society of Lincoln Center program director Richard Peña took the stage to introduce Spielberg and noted that the director showed his first film at the less prominent New Directors/New Films festival.

"Years later," Peña said, "he's finally made it."

steve.zeitchik@latimes.com


COMMENTS
Be the first to post a comment!


Post A Comment:




  • It's 2020! Start booking roles in commercials, fashion, films, theater and more with The Agency Online!

  • NEW WORKSHOP with Barbara Barna & Sean De Simone!

    Hi Everyone and Happy Summer! Sean at Sean De Simone casting and Barbara Barna are teaming up for a super informative and fun Hosting for Home Shopping workshop. A great opportunity for established or experienced TV Hosts and Experts interested in learning how to get noticed and how to get in....
  • MASTERCLASS W. Robin Carus & David John Madore

    A Special Offer for the Agency Community, from one of our favorite NYC Casting Directors! EMAIL FacetheMusicWithUs@gmail.com Or Eventbrite To Sign Up! Class Size is Limited.
  • Don't Fall Into The Comparison Trap

    Hi Everyone! As the second installment in an ongoing series of features by the Agency's amazing community, here's some sage advice from our own Regina Rockensies; a humble (& awesome)veteran we've had the pleasure of working with for a long time. Have an excellent week! : ) - The Agency....
  • One Model's Agreement

    Hi Everyone! As the first piece in an ongoing series of original articles by the Agency community, here's a short reflection on some of the values of professional acting & modeling that we can all keep in mind for our next casting. Good luck on your castings &shoots this week! : ) -....




 
home       castings&news       privacy policy       terms and conditions      contact us      browser tips
Official PayPal Seal