Abraham Lincoln has always been one of my favorite historical figures. He was such a forward thinker & while so many other Americans believed in & fought for slavery, he knew that everyone deserved the same rights. No matter what stood in his way, he did what he had to do to abolish slavery & create the 13th amendment.
Growing up, we were always taught that this is what Lincoln did, but we were never told exactly how he did it. Our country is still divided {just one peek at last week’s election results can tell you that} but never has it been as divided as during the Civil War. So how did Lincoln get the divided country to agree to change the way that they lived their lives and ran their businesses? How did he get them to agree to go against what they’d always known?
In short, he did whatever it took. He exchanged jobs for votes. He allowed the war to continue longer than it needed to. &He definitely didn’t get everyone on board.
But Lincoln believed in the 13th Amendment and he would not rest until it was passed. He ignored what his peers said & knew that everyone should have the same rights.
Going into the theater, I expected the movie to show Lincoln’s whole life, or to be about his assassination. I’d read that the movie was about the four months before the vote for the 13th Amendment, but I thought that meant they’d focus half on that & half on Lincoln’s life. &While they did show him as a father and a husband, it was him as a father and husband during those four months. It really was about that time period, and it is astounding how much happened during that time.
One of the themes was about Lincoln trying to balance being a father & a President. Any parent who has ever worked outside the home {or in it, for that matter} knows how difficult it can be to balance the different parts of your life. Just imagine if your job was President- I can’t imagine how he did it at all.
I enjoyed this movie so much. I saw it with a group of bloggers and when it was over, we were all completely silent, and it took a long time for any of us to say anything. We were all digesting the movie, and we were left thinking about it for a long time afterwards. I know that personally, I was filled with so much hope for the future of our country. After seeing how far we’ve come in just 150 years, it gave me faith that I’ll see the change I want to happen in my life time.
&In case you’re wondering, the movie is 100% historically accurate. It is based on the biography Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln and everything that occurs in the movie is documented.
Lincoln is in theaters today, November 16th!
Note: Disney provided my travel and accommodations to cover this event. All experiences are authentic & all opinions are my own.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
This looks awesome!
Dee B says
I saw a brief outtake of this with James Spader on GMA earlier this week. I hadn’t been sure about it beforehand, but the excerpt was humorous and caught my eye. May have to do a date night!
Jeanna says
This movie looks really good! And it’s by Disney!! Can’t wait!
Richard Hicks says
I can hardly wait to see this. Should be very educational
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Christa says
I love that it’s 100% historically accurate! I love historical movies and B and I can’t wait to see this!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
I don’t really like a lot of movies (I know, I’m weird), but I really want to see this one!
Maureen @ Wisconsin Mommy says
I’m really looking forward to seeing this film!!
Jennifer H says
my hubby would love this movie!
Jenn @therebelchick says
I can’t wait to go see this!
nicole @nicky_olea says
I’m going to see this just as soon as I go see Breaking Dawn Part 2, for a second time!
Notorious Spinks says
I think I’m going to see this, this week. Although I really want to read the book first.