June Film Discussion
Watch and Discuss
LincolnThis month we will discuss Steven Spielberg's Lincoln. The film hosts an all-star cast including Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Sally Field. Lincoln won two Academy Awards and was nominated for another ten! This critically acclaimed film will be a treat for movie fans and history buffs alike and offers plenty to talk about.
As the Civil War continues to rage, America's president (2012 Best Actor winner Daniel Day-Lewis) struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves. This film chronicles the president's term in office between 1861 and 1865 as he dealt with personal demons and politics during the Civil War.
Watch & Discuss
This month, the Film Society will engage in discussions about the themes
of this movie. The enjoyment of the films we watch can be enhanced by
thinking more deeply about them and participating in discussions both
online and at our monthly meeting. Everyone is invited to participate
in these discussions with us. Please join us and engage in thoughtful
discussion about this film right here.
Questions for Discussion
Please leave your comments regarding these questions and any thoughts about the movie you'd like to discuss or share in the Comment Box below.
Questions for Discussion
Please leave your comments regarding these questions and any thoughts about the movie you'd like to discuss or share in the Comment Box below.
1. How is the Lincoln marriage portrayed in the film? How do Lincoln and Mary Todd's personalities differ?
2. How does the film portray Lincoln's racial views and his perspective of slavery? Do those views change over the course of the film?
3. How are Lincoln's views of faith portrayed in the film?
4. Lincoln is admired as a historical hero by many, well beyond academic circles. Does the film help support this historical perception of the president or does it offer a new perspective?
References
Lincoln on IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/
Image Credits
http://www.parentalguide.org/assets/rating_pg13.gif
The characterizations of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln were historically accurate, to my understanding, bu really did present a radical change from the historical characters we experience in our pop culture. Lincoln was a thoughtful and introspective man, so we normally think of him as quiet. His temper and impatience is understandable, yet unexpected. Likewise, because our collective consciousness tends to remember the "winning side", we don't give much thought about the politics that have to be played before that side wins. Watching Lincoln politic with the opposition was a new dimension for me, but did make the caricature become human for me. The same goes for Mary. One of the most famous facts we remember about her was that she suffered from mental problems. My historical caricature thought of her as being unstable and acting "crazy". But in reality, she was a strong and intelligent woman who stood up for herself and her husband. She could play politics with the best of them, and normally won! It was refreshing to see these figures as a couple interacting with each other, and with our history. The movie gave me a depth to the issue and the people involved, that I did not fully appreciate before.
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