Saving Lincoln

Saving Lincoln is a film that is relatively historically accurate, yet quite mediocre in production quality. While the actors are able to put up somewhat believable performances, some of them simply do not resemble the characters they are portraying. The film also seems to brush over some of Abraham Lincoln's most notable moments, as if the filmmakers are just showing a crash course on the life of Lincoln. Aside from this, some of the dialogue and pacing of the film is rather poor. Saving Lincoln primarily focuses on the relationship between our 16th President, played by Tom Amandes and his bodyguard, Ward Hill Lamon, played by Lea Coco. The film follows the duo from when they first meet all the way until Lincoln's second term as President. These two specific actors perform well objectively, and Coco seems to grasp the heroic nature needed to portray someone as vital as the bodyguard of the President. Amandes seems to be a bad fit for Lincoln though, as even when he makes the most of the sub-par dialogue, he simply does not look very much like Abraham Lincoln. In comparison to Daniel Day Lewis in Spielberg's Lincoln, Amandes looks very off. He does not seem tall enough, and his face is far too forgettable to be that of Lincoln's. Out of all Lincoln actors such as Lewis, Henry Fonda, and Raymond Massey, as well as others, Amandes seems the least like the President. His voice is also far too deep in pitch and is missing Lincoln's accent. The production quality of Saving Lincoln was not one of its strengths. Excessive use of a green screen and TV-movie-like costumes serve as the main factors here. The backgrounds appear fake and the costumes look cheap. The sepia filter applied over the footage is cheesy and unnecessary. This took away from the film more than it added anything. As mentioned earlier, the dialogue in Saving Lincoln is one of its weaker points. Character development is sparse, and exposition is given too quickly in the form of dialogue. Real conversations where the audience can notice the character's personalities and relationships with each other are lacking. For example, Lincoln and Lamon do not seem truly friendly with each other because of the dialogue the actors are given to work with. This film seems to lack patience and the opportunity to take a minute to breathe. It moves so quickly over momentous parts of Lincoln's life such as the Gettysburg Address, the death of Willie Lincoln, and his plans to end slavery. The film does seem to have a good grasp on the life of Lincoln, though. It includes scenes based on actual events. Even if they are just displayed in plain sight, scenes in which a first Lincoln assassination failed to fall through, Lamon protecting Lincoln on a horse ride, the delivery of the Gettysburg Address, and nearly all other scenes are based on real history.

Saving Lincoln is an unique take on that time period, with authentic photographs of the buildings and people from that era, gave it an unique sense of connection, kinda puts the actors and the viewer back in time, Tom Amandes take on Lincoln was comical, to the point when watching it, I couldn't imagine this Lincoln being elected President, sometimes he reminded me of the Gov on the Benson sitcom, I had never heard of Ward Hill Lamon before, so there were no expectations of this character, we all know how the story turns out, was just looking for some unknown filler to the pvt life of the President, It's a good one time watch, fast paced and well acted.

I was moved by this film. As someone who has lived in the DC area my entire life, has visited Ford's Theater on numerous occasions, and has been to Gettysburg, Antietam, and other civil war battlefields more times than I can remember, I felt that seeing Tom Amandes' portrayal of Lincoln this evening brought me closer to understanding Lincoln the man than I have ever been. Amandes' Lincoln was not overplayed, but real and genuine. Litvak was bold in creating his Lincoln as a man of faith and emotion, natural charisma and strength. Lincoln's melancholy made him more endearing, not distant. Penelope Ann Miller's Mary Todd was also genuine, a person of real emotion, not the disconnected and distant caricature that she has been portrayed in previous films. Lea Coco was masterful in walking the line between obsessive, monomaniacal protector and best friend of the most indispensable man of his time. No spoiler here, but Coco's finest hour came towards the end of the film in my opinion, when he as Lamon visibly let down his guard for the first time, no longer able to protect his friend. What an amazing piece of art this film is. Seeing the actual images of Civil War soldiers in the hospital behind Lincoln in one scene tapped an emotional well in me as I realized that these were real people, real faces of the men who fought and died for their country, and for this I must say that the Cinecollage method that Litvak has brought to life is a treasure that is capable of connecting us with our history in a way that is unique and of deep value. I applaud the creator and cast for the wonderful film and eagerly await the opportunity to see it again.

I have seen a lot of works on Lincoln, and I think it is a great idea to marry up original Civil War Photos in the background of a true story. That being said, for some reason the script writing on this one is lacking, because while it transfers accurate history, it makes it seem less interesting than it should be. For some reason, I did not get the last full measure I expected from this film.

The acting seems hollow, but part of this is the script. There is also a part of the acting as the actor playing Lincoln, especially late in the film, seems too young for the main role. Their effort seems like a lite walk through serious history instead of the passion the role requires. Some of that passion is from the script lacking passion for the actor to get a grip on as well.

I do like the visuals, and the ways this is done, but the body guard angle struggles with script too. Overall, it does not draw me into the story enough and considering this is one of the most interesting eras of US History, I was surprised by what I expected, compared to what I got out of this one.

While this film was no doubt overshadowed by the theatrical release of Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln", it's attempts at telling a story are admirable, with a rather modest performance by Tom Amandes as the 16th president, which serves as the true highlight of the film. Lea Coco plays the role of Ward Hill Lamon, Lincoln's self-appointed bodyguard, and merely plays second fiddle to Amandes while brandishing a Southern accent. Perhaps the biggest thing that stands out in the film is its reliance on a green screen for setting and background, which, due to the film's modest budget, is impossible to hide. However, the film succeeds in demonstrating the friendship between Lincoln and Lamon.