Lincoln not only meets high expectations, but also alters preconceived notions. Steven Spielberg seems more interested in telling a reasonably true story than over glorifying the factual events. Sure the movie probably isn't 100% accurate, but I'm not a big enough history buff to know exactly which parts of the story are fiction. But for the most part, the movie seems to get its facts straight, and from a purely movie-making standpoint, this is flawless.

The story deals with Abraham Lincoln's struggle to get the 13th Amendment passed. Needing a 2/3 majority to pass the amendment, and still being more than a few votes short, Lincoln sets the wheels in motion to get the amendment passed. But to do so, he must make tough, sometimes law-bending decisions. Adding to the drama is Mary Todd Lincoln's unstable mental health, and Robert Lincoln's desire to join in the fight for the Union.

There are two things I don't like about this movie. Number 1: at 150 minutes of dialogue scene after dialogue scene, the movie can get a bit dry at times. If you're paying attention, then it's not what I would call boring, but the movie definitely the definition of exciting. Number 2: The movie portrays Lincoln's bending of the Constitution in glorified light. While I'm sure the movie was just being honest (and I appreciate the honesty), I'm still not the biggest fan of celebrating rule breaking, especially when the rules are coming from one of our founding documents and are broken by the president.

But the goods of the movie far and away outweigh the bads. This is probably the best acting ensemble of 2012. Needless to say, Daniel Day-Lewis is simply marvelous as Lincoln. His costume, make-up, and acting are truly transformative. It only takes a minute or two to complete separate Daniel Day-Lewis from Lincoln. Day-Lewis he is completely deserving of his Oscar win. He is Lincoln.

I would say that Tommy Lee Jones gives a performance right on par with Daniel Day-Lewis. His performance as Thaddeus Stevens is powerful and commanding. He has some of the best scenes of the movie as he fights for slaves' freedom. My favorite scene of his is when he makes his speech about how slaves should have 'equality before the law.'

Sally Field gives yet another stellar performance as Mary Todd Lincoln. She didn't really stand out in her other 2012 movie, The Amazing Spider-Man, but here she is excellent. Field plays Mary Todd Lincoln in a sort of bipolar way. It's great how the movie shows the difference from the person in private and the person in public. The scenes between Field and Day-Lewis are extremely well acted and powerful.

The remainder of the supporting cast members all turns in outstanding performances. There really isn't a weak link anywhere. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is good, if underused, as Robert Lincoln. He really only has one scene of emotional value. David Strathairn gives a characteristically exceptional performance. Also, look for David Oyelowo and Dean Dehaan in tiny roles.

On the production side of things, the movie is faultless. Steven Spielberg directs the movie with care and devotion. This is probably his best movie in at least 10 years. The score by John Williams, while understated, is gorgeous and perfect for the movie. As is just about everything about this movie...understated but perfect.

Overall, this is a well-made, intelligent, and insightful portrait of Abraham Lincoln. A bit too long? Yes. Maybe one too many lengthy dialogue scenes. Yes. But those are relatively small issues in comparison to all the great things that this movie is filled with.

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in." 9/10