So I said last week that Denzel Washington is a shoo-in to be nominated for a best actor award for his role as the functioning alcoholic airline pilot in "Flight". I didn't say he would win though. It appears now we have a winner - Daniel Day-Lewis as "Lincoln".

        It would be easy to believe that just because it's such a "heavy", important role, but that's not it. You have to see this movie to understand it, but I'll try to explain.

        Steven Spielberg said it was probably not a good idea to present the 16th President in a life story format. He said it would then look like a cheap "greatest hits" history package and you would not get a measure of the man's personality. Instead, the focus is on the first months of 1865, during the last months of the Civil War, and Lincoln's determination to abolish slavery.

        In this present day era of bitter partisanship in Washington, this is a look at how someone might get things done politically. Facing Democrats and some members of his own Cabinet who opposed the amendment, and others in his own Republican Party who wanted more than the end of slavery, they wanted outright equality, Lincoln faced many obstacles towards getting the votes. He also faced a faction that wanted an end to the war, and let's leave the amendment for later. Oh, and there was also pressure on the home front from the wife, still grieving over a dead son and constantly on edge this was all going to end very badly for the family and the Union side.

        It was so much to handle, which is why the performance stands out. Day-Lewis brings us a Lincoln that comes across as not only a great historical leader, but almost a present day regular guy with idiot politicians and pressing family matters swirling about. One of his two other sons wants nothing more than to fight for the Union side. Mary opposes this and Abe must figure something out. All with the amendment barely moving forward and thousands more soldiers on both sides still dying. There simply was no more dramatic moment in US history.

       You might find a new appreciation for the guy in this piece of brilliant filmmaking, whatever artistic freedoms were taken. This take on Lincoln brings us the wise statesman, but also a bit of a goofball -evidenced by his odd storytelling and bad jokes he used to try and deflate the tension. Awkward is the word - you get the impression he was a bit of a geek, but he stayed focused on the prize and that was that Constitutional amendment. And actor Daniel Day Lewis, not even an American, yikes, brings him to life with an understated performance.

         In terrific supporting roles are Sally Field as the long suffering wife Mary Todd (and yes they will address her mental illness problems) and Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens, a longtime Congressman and supporter of full equality, not just legal equality, for slaves. He, too, has to learn the meaning of slow progress. You may also enjoy the comic relief brought to us by the three guys (James Spader, Tim Blake Nelson and John Hawkes) who are hired to carry out the bribes for the votes. It did bring a nice balance to a pretty serious storyline.

          "Lincoln" is a slice of history and an insightful portrait of a President at a real crossroads in our history. If Daniel Day-Lewis doesn't win, I demand a recount. I give the movie a "9".