Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln just premiered as the secret screening at the New York Film Festival. We gathered up a bunch of the tweeted reactions of those who saw the film: professional critics, regular folks, even a semi-coherent Whoopi Goldberg. The response was mixed, running the gamut from “the best film Roberto Rossellini never made” to “best movie ever made for A&E?”. But virtually everyone liked the acting. Daniel Day-Lewis delivered his expected great performance, but the highest acclaim was reserved for Tommy Lee Jones, whose Oscar campaign for Best Supporting Actor apparently starts tonight.
Hit the jump for the tweets. Lincoln hits limited release on November 9, and opens in wide release for the rest of us on November 16.
Spielberg’s Lincoln turns a defining moment in history into a human story. Day-Lewis is dynamic, but it’s a great ensemble piece. #NYFF
— Matt Patches (@misterpatches) October 9, 2012
Lincoln is heavy on the politics. But I loved all the behind-the-curtain government stuff. Kushner’s playwright roots all over it. #NYFF — Matt Patches (@misterpatches) October 9, 2012
And man, there is so much comedy in Lincoln! Spielberg doesn’t shy away from the craziness of Congress, even in a dire scenario. — Matt Patches (@misterpatches) October 9, 2012
Last 140 character Lincoln thought: James Spader steals the show. #NYFF — Matt Patches (@misterpatches) October 9, 2012
Daniel Day-Lewis much more understated and playful than the scenery-chewing trailer suggests. #nyff #lincoln — Steven Zeitchik (@ZeitchikLAT) October 9, 2012
I loved a lot about Lincoln, especially the performances from every single character actor in existence. Day Lewis is a beast. — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) October 9, 2012
The perfs in Lincoln are beyond great, but films that try to do as much as that one tries to do almost always sacrifice plot & character — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) October 9, 2012
When Lincoln is about a man who must turn his back on himself and his own values (and family) in order to change a nation, it’s riveting — ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) October 9, 2012
Spielberg’s LINCOLN is the best film Roberto Rossellini never made. Also one of the best Spielberg did make. #notareview — Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) October 9, 2012
Also I think Kushner is as much the auteur of LINCOLN as Spielberg is. His understanding of myth, process, history is all over this. — Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) October 9, 2012
LINCOLN (C). Abraham Lincoln: Vote Hunter. best movie ever made for A&E? Spielberg restrained. Musty, redundant, bearded.ddl & tlj = great — david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) October 9, 2012
LINCOLN is Spielberg’s smallest film since ALWAYS. best when portraying a man isolated by incalculable burden. script divided against itself — david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) October 9, 2012
Lincoln’s got the best ensemble of bearded character actors ever. The quality of the movie varies wildly based on how many are on screen. — kateyrich (@kateyrich) October 9, 2012
Best parts of LINCOLN are the 19th century In The Loop you never knew you wanted. The rest can feel like a bear. — kateyrich (@kateyrich) October 9, 2012
Also met @joereid long enough to form Oscar nerd hive mind opinion that Tommy Lee Jones can easily win Supporting Actor. He steals Lincoln — kateyrich (@kateyrich) October 9, 2012
LINCOLN: Sophisticated, erudite political procedural from Spielberg and Kushner. Genuinely superb. #nyff
— Reverse Shot (@reverse_shot) October 9, 2012
Lincoln movie is unlike any other Spielberg movie in that it’s almost entirely driven by dialogue instead of action or visuals #NYFF — Andrew Ku (@PlaybillAndrewK) October 9, 2012
Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader and Sally Field are standouts in the cast of Lincoln — Andrew Ku (@PlaybillAndrewK) October 9, 2012
LINCOLN soars and Spielbergs best in years #NYFF — Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) October 9, 2012
Tommy Lee Jones, James spader standouts.Sally field is #Oscar worthy too — Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) October 9, 2012
Spielberg in definite contention for Oscar number three.#NYFF #LINCOLN — Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) October 9, 2012
Smartly written, politically emotional.Very well directed. — Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) October 9, 2012
I have just seen the MOST exteoadenary film directed by Stephen Speilberg & it’s called Lincoln. w/ Daniel Day Lewis who will make u forget — Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) October 9, 2012
Anyother actor you’ve ever seen do Lincoln. It’s beyond AMAZing. Tommy Lee Jones is flawless. This is a film the likes of which hasn’t — Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) October 9, 2012
Been seen in many years on screen. You must if you believein the greatness of America and in all America has to offer we the people — Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) October 9, 2012
You will want to see this. Republican, Democrats Independents ALL WILL BE PROUD.You have never seen the likes of this film and may not again — Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) October 9, 2012
#lincoln solid historical entertainment. Surprised by its humor. Better than Amistad but in same vein. #nyff 1/4 — Murtada Elfadl (@ME_Says) October 9, 2012
#Lincoln Day Lewis is v good but it’s a quiet performance without an emotional arc. Film is about legislation after all. #NYFF 2/4 — Murtada Elfadl (@ME_Says) October 9, 2012
#Lincoln Tommy Lee Jones has the flashy emotional part with big scenes. He will an awards magnet this year #NYFF — Murtada Elfadl (@ME_Says) October 9, 2012
#Lincoln makes a sorta thriller out of passing law. Misses in connecting story to real people except briefly with Tommy Lee — Murtada Elfadl (@ME_Says) October 9, 2012
Betting very strong Tommy Lee Jones campaign for Supporting, and DDL for Actor. Long speeches, long scenes, lots of emotion. #Lincoln #NYFF — Jio de Leon (@jiodeleon) October 9, 2012
Lincoln was alright, Day Lewis was okay he’s done better and with better material. And it was really really slow. #nyff #lincoln
— Victor Dos Santos (@2slick4vic) October 9, 2012
Lincoln though, my God, what a snore. Spielberg should try and stop making War Horse 2 and start making something… less generic #nyff
— Victor Dos Santos (@2slick4vic) October 9, 2012
#Lincoln DDL gives a tour de force performance, to bad the film is a dullish bore. good luck getting through this one! C+ #NYFF — CraigR. (@GotMilk43) October 9, 2012
Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field are great. This could very well be Oscar no. 3 for DDL. #Lincoln — Devin Fuller (@DevFull) October 9, 2012
Spielberg has lost his touch. It’s just too dull and boring to recommend. However, Daniel Day Lewis is “the master”. hes fab #NYFF — Bram Benderoff (@Bramsky600) October 9, 2012
Another thing about #Lincoln. Tommy Lee Jones is at his best. It’s a shame it wasn’t for a more balanced movie. Give him an oscar! #NYFF — Bram Benderoff (@Bramsky600) October 9, 2012
A six hour lecture on the 1800s would be more interesting than #Lincoln. Fucking bland movie. #NYFF — Evan Schwartz (@izzio123) October 9, 2012
@awardsdaily I don´t know how everybody will see this but I think DDL was “underused” by Spielberg — Filipe Otávio (@filipe_otavio) October 9, 2012
#Lincoln was awful, one of the worst films of the year. Great work from Daniel Day Lewis & JGL though. #NYFF
— Chris Narine (@thechrisvolta) October 9, 2012
Tommy Lee Jones just locked down that Supporting Actor nom #AmazingPerformance #Lincoln #NYFF
— The NYC Film Chick (@TheNYCFilmChick) October 9, 2012
Daniel Day Lewis’ performance can’t save the 2 hour long borefest that is Lincoln. Yawn.#NYFF #Lincoln — Turtle (@TurtleMoneyz) October 9, 2012
Lincoln is already one of the most overrated movies of the year. Sigh. Piece of crap movie. #NYFF — Turtle (@TurtleMoneyz) October 9, 2012
gems like No One Lives are gonna get overlooked in place of long, comatose period period pieces with good acting like Lincoln. #NYFF
— Turtle (@TurtleMoneyz) October 9, 2012
Lincoln: Daniel Day-Lewis completely embodies the POTUS. Kushner’s writing is brilliant. Spielberg works magic. #NYFF
— michelle (@popgirlnyc) October 9, 2012
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wow. didn’t expect TOMMY LEE JONES to be a favorite coming out of LINCOLN. based on the trailers, his part isn’t really showy.
now i’m very curious to see the film. this certainly shakes up the supporting actor side with Hoffman, Deniro, Arkin and the yet unseen Leo for DJANGO. looks like the supporting actor nom is pretty much locked. only Les MIs and Zero Dark Thirty and Django are the yet to be seen.
on the best actor side? so DDL is beats Joaquin on the “oscar” side(when someone plays LINCOLN great, you know the academy will vote for him)? but how about in the wow factor side? without the awards bulls***, does he beat Joaquin?
Can you tell me what Dustin Hoffman and Robert de Niro are going to be nominated for?
He meant Philip Seymour Hoffman. And DeNiro in The Silver Linings Playbook
How can you forget about Fassbender in Prometheus? And Walken in Seven Psychopaths? I dont even know what the hell Hoffman and DeNiro have done this year that was so great, but yes DiCaprio is due for an Oscar, crossing my fingers he knocks it out of the park in Django Unchained
look, i love PROMETHEUS. i’m not one of those haters. but it was released too early in the year. plus there are alot of negative response to the film. let’s be realistic. Fassbender won’t be nominated. the same way TDKR and Nolan won’t be in the running this season. David will be iconic though. Expect him to be consistently be in conventions and Halloween parties.
also, do follow the awards season. Everyone is calling De Niro’s role in SILVER LININGS as his best in years. when a truly respected actor suddenly gives a “comeback” performance, for better or worse, the response will be overpraise since everyone is rooting for the old guys to return to form. and as for HOFFMAN, seriously? any cinephile knows that the film event of the year is a PT Anderson picture.
I think Lincoln was great. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers an Oscar worthy performance,but I don’t think it’s enough to win against Joaquin Phoenix. Tommy lee Jones might win his 2nd Oscar tho. Sally Field could get a nomination as well. Best Picture, Director, actor, supporting actor and actress, screenplay, cinematography, make up and costume. I don’t know about the editing tho.
I’d say the response is more positive than mixed. Although I do like how one twitter says it’s already “the most overrated film of the year.” Really? It just premiered today. Calm down.
Wait…are you saying you don’t trust the opinion of @TurtleMoneyz?
I agree. It seems like 70-80% of the reactions are positive.
Some people just love the idea of being smugly superior by reacting in a negative way to something most other people are going to have a positive reaction to. Especially if the thing in question is a Spielberg movie? What better way to burnish your oh so superior sensibilities than to roll your eyes and complain that everything about the movie is “overrated?”
I suspect this will be a good movie for people who are interested in history and politics, at least. Maybe it won’t be a blockbuster, but then it shouldn’t have to be.
I will be going to see this film, without the need of reading the smug responses posted by sad twitter twits.
Haven’t seen the film so I can’t comment on whether it actually is boring, but it wouldn’t surprise me that people have this reaction since the vast majority don’t care about politics except when it comes to voting in an election every four years.
Diatribe aside, Tommy Lee Jones would be a great President. More people would listen and believe what he has to say than either of the two terrible actors we have as candidates this year.
I will for sure see this, but definitely seeing Skyfall instead that weekend.
The weekend Lincoln comes out I will definitely be seeing Skyfall instead, but still want to see this eventually.
sorry didn’t mean to post twice
Can’t wait to see this. Movie was praised by most so I’m happy about that. Obviously there’s those people that just don’t like artistic/historical films so they just get bored by it. Hope its great. I was hoping it would be Spielbergs modern masterpiece. Well I’ll just wait till I see it and decide I guess.
I wonder how much Whoppi had to drink prior to sending out her tweets haha
I also attended the screening of Lincoln and I really liked it. I wouldn’t say I loved it, but the acting is so spectacular from everyone involved that all the problems about the slow pacing are forgiven. B+
Tommy Lee Jones is ALWAYS amazing…….so so versatile!!
No comment on the film–haven’t seen it and don’t trust the judgment of most people. However, If you have EVER listened to Whoopi Goldberg then you know she is a moron, a dolt, a ninny, and a boring, brobdingnagian ideologue with a Jewish name but no Jewish brains or talent. If anyone’s judgment can bring on a case of reactance in which I feel compelled to act in opposition to the judgment itself, then it is Whoopi Goldberg.
—WHO asked for it? –needs it?
And WHY with Sally Field? —again?
WHY??????