In this recent blockbuster, Daniel Day-Lewis plays a somewhat stoic, always political, and slyly humorous Abraham Lincoln during a critical period of American history.

Contrary to what many movie-goers may presume, Lincoln does not concentrate on a victorious American Civil War, the speech at Gettysburg, nor any other commonly recognized historical moments. Rather, it focuses on the arduous political process needed to pass the 13^th Amendment, which outlawed slavery. As director, Steven Spielberg does a great job of making this process intriguing at every turn.

Tommy Lee Jones is cast as the radical Thaddeus Stevens. Throughout the movie, he pushes not only for abolition, but also for full economic and political rights for blacks. Lincoln acted as Stevens’s balance, always striving for a more realistic solution to the immorality they faced. There is a secret pertaining to Stevens revealed at the climax of the film, leaving viewers hooked to the end.

At times, this movie can be extremely dark. But there are moments where light-hearted humor surfaces above the seriousness of the topic. This juxtaposition is really what makes the film so wonderful. All in all, it’d easily clinch a 9/10 rating!