Two Jews On Lincoln

Okay I know what some of you maybe thinking…A film about Abraham Lincoln…Boring!!! Let me assure you it’s anything but…boring.

Steven Spielberg has directed a riverting, intense, exciting, fascinating film about the President of the U. S. that placed everything to the line to pass the 13th amendent to the consitution ending slavery throughout the country.

And let me tell you…this was no easy task. Thank goodnesdd he had anti-slave Congressman, Thaddeus Stevenson (Tommy Lee Jones. who’s never been better) and Secretary of State William Seward (David Strathairn) on his side. Seward even hires a trio of hooligans (John Hawkes, Tim Blake Nelson and James Spader) to do whatever they need to do to get Lincoln the votes.

What I found most interesting and apparently forgot from my history classes was that it was the Republicans that were anti-slavery. The Democrats were vehemently pro-slavery and it wasn’t only the Southern democrats…New Jersey, New York, Massachusettes not big on the whole freedom thing at that time.

‘Lincoln’ was written by the award- winning playwright, Tony Kushner ,(Angeles In America) and he does a fantastic job in capturing Lincoln the man, his relationship with his wife, Mary (Sally Fields) and is son, Robert (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). He also shows us what a shrewd and clever politican the Lincoln was, willing to make back room deals to get this amendment pass.

The film takes place in 1865…the war is still raging, but the South is losing. Lincoln has just four months to get this passed. Once the war ends, it’s over. No one will care about passing it…This guy is up against the clock.

Daniel Day Lewis has never been better. His performance is absolutly memorizing and I predict, he will get another Oscar for his work.

Speilberg who I felt missed badly with ‘War House’ has redemmed himself with this great movie. And for that reason, I gave ‘Lincoln’ which opens in theatres, Friday November 9th, 5 bagels out of 5.

John wasn’t as passionate as I was about this film, but he did enjoy it…kind of. Check out our video to see his bagel thoughts and more of our banter.

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Joan and John Schwartz

Joan and John Schwartz are ex New Yorkers, living in Los Angeles. They are married and see a lot of films. They usually disagree but always tell it like it is. John is most famous for creating the cult classic films Faces of Death. He has also written for various prime time series and has written movies for both Showtime and HBO. In the world of reality television John has produced, written and directed over 450 segments for various magazine shows He has also written and Executive Produced several Prime-Time Specials. Joan has appeared on the New York Stage on and off Broadway…and has been in several Los Angeles theater productions as well.. Joan has been in several low budget films and at present she is busy writing screenplays with her husband, John.

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