During last night’s presidential debate, something exciting happened, and it had nothing to do with the mysterious dot in the center of Governor Romney’s flag pin. On select networks, Disney aired a new trailer for Steven Spielberg‘s and Daniel Day Lewis‘s upcoming movie about everyone’s favorite 1¢ chin-strap President, Abraham Lincoln. Unfortunately this is the Lincoln without the vampires, though probably almost as fictional.
Ready, set, LINCOLN:
Full disclosure: I definitely did not cry a little.
(Super full disclosure: Weird stuff makes me cry.)
So it was vast and epic and all the Spielberg crap themes we’ve come to expect. (This just in: Abraham will also have daddy issues!) Plus Disney’s at the helm, so it’s a little like the presidential version of Remember the Titans.
However as much as I love Daniel Day Lewis—which is an inappropriate amount—and as much as I fully respect his crazy method acting ways, that sound you heard when he started talking in that voice was the roaring gush of the wind being released from my sails. I mean, I know he’s not a goddamn vampire hunter but I kind of expected something more …commanding? bold? I have high expectations in terms of movie president awesomeness. I’m sure Spielberg and Daniel Day Lewis have some kind of “historical vision” going, because that’s how they do, but… well, we’ll see how it pans out in the full film.
Okay, now that’s just freaky.
My middle school history teacher—who was one of my favorite teachers of all time REPRESENT KA-POW!—would never forgive me if I didn’t at least mention in passing that, while the abolition of slavery was one critical reason for the Civil War, and certainly an important outcome for our country, it was not the sole reason, as this trailer seems to be very dramatically shoving down our throats. I know “learning” isn’t “cool” these days with the kids, and many of them chose to get their history lessons from Hollywood, but– oh fuck it, you know as soon as Lincoln hits the theaters there will be scores of questions on the Yahoo forums asking if Lincoln was a real person or actually zombie killer, just like how the sinking of the Titanic didn’t really happen because it was just a movie. Whatever you say guys, just make it pretty.
Lincoln officially hits theaters nationwide in November, after the election is over and we’re all very, very tired of discussing non-fictional presidents.
This boombox is on display at the Smithsonian.
About Jamie Jamerson
