'Lincoln' Reviews Are Positive After NYFF Preview Screening

A few weeks ago, Steven Spielberg did a massive launch event on Google+ to showcase the new trailer for his upcoming Lincoln Film. Initial responses to the trailer were not overwhelmingly positive with some predicting the film would be overly sentimental and lack focus. There was also a great deal of criticism for Daniel Day-Lewis' light and high voice for the president.

However, after the surprise preview screening of the film at the New York Film Festival, Lincoln seems poised to generate a great deal of Oscar buzz. An unfinished cut of the film was presented, but a number of outlets have already chimed in with "unofficial" reviews of the picture. The response has been quite positive.

Indiewire stated outright to not "trust the trailer" as it highlighted some of the "clumsier scenes involving Lincoln's persistence in passing the 13^th Amendment." The publication notes that unlike other Spielberg endeavors, this film is far more subdued in its approach. They describe the film as consisting mainly of conversations between the American Icon and his rivals and partners in the US government during the Civil War Period. They note that Daniel Day Lewis is "a wonder to behold even when he says nothing" and they note that he makes a "lasting appeal by realizing Lincoln's personality with a mixture of charisma and humility." They conclude that "'Lincoln' eventually runs out of break, but not before making it clear that the 65-year Spielberg most certainly has not."

The Film School Rejects are equally positive regarding the film and call Day-Lewis' performance "unparalleled." They add that the actor's "voice and mannerisms are artfully inspired and deceptively precise." They also praise Tommy Lee Jones' turn as Thaddeus Stevens for being "the second best thing about the film." They did note that John William's score is "schlocky" and ultimately gave the film a B-.

The Guardian did a "first look review" and gave it four out of five stars. They called the film an "effective if uneven portrait of a canny politician."

The Hollywood Reporter is already throwing out predictions for what they think the film will get nominated for. Those include best supporting actor for Jones, best supporting actress for Sally Field as Lincoln's wife, and cinematography, music score, and editing nominations as well. They compare Day-Lewis' portrayal to that of Henry Fonda's iconic turn in Young Mr. Lincoln (1939).

Cinemablend's review is already on aggregate site Rottentomatoes.com. While Rotten Tomatoes lists it as a positive review, Cinema Blend was far from complementary of the film and writer Katey Rich stated that the film exhausted her at times. She was not as in love with Day-Lewis as others were and she preferred Jones' performance.

 This is the second straight year that a major director previews his upcoming film at NYFF. Last year, Martin Scorsese gave viewers an early version of Hugo which went on to garner a number of Oscar wins and nominations.

Lincoln will be released on November 9 in theaters around the country.