Saving Lincoln

They tried to do something groundbreaking, but it didn't quite work. It is a shame, because the story is interesting. Lamon looked suspiciously like he borrowed his clothes from some old tv western.

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.

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.

This was the second picture over the Lincoln's bodyguard, I didn't remember the name of the first picture, but quite sure about the attempt to kill Lincoln at Railway station only, Saving Lincoln embrace a large range of this bodyguard, since the first meeting until the final, it's clearly is about a small budge, using along the picture several sepia photographs from those era, also has many valuable informations over the war, for instance Lincoln blaming himself for 300 thousand lives lost at civil war, discussing the matter of the black people's war as some politicians tried suggest on the heat of the battle, many matters comes to surface, the bodyguard played by Lea Coco is enough good, as Lincoln as well, marvelous portrayed by Tom Amandes, without forget Penelope Ann Miller who already lost her early beauty, the American civil war was the turning point to America's leadership on the eastern nowadays, if the whole country was split maybe today the such position might had not happened, fine picture despite wasn't a big picture, is another look over this magnificent character called Abraham Lincoln!!!

Resume:

First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7

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.