Lincoln (DreamWorks/20th Century Fox)

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Over a decade in the making, Steven Spielberg’s passion project, Lincoln, is already earning Oscar buzz.

 Award-winning playwright, Tony Kushner, uses some of the novel “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” by Doris Kearns Goodwin to tell a story about the 16th president during the final months of the Civil War.

Daniel-Day Lewis gives a powerful performance as the recently re-elected Lincoln, who wants to pass the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery.

However, some, including his wife Mary Todd (Sally Field) and Secretary of State William Seward (David Strathairn), believe it to be an impossible goal. But with support from outspoken abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones), Lincoln is determined to pass the amendment and end the war.

But Lincoln’s personal life takes a dramatic turn when his oldest son Robert Todd (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) arrives home to tell his father he doesn’t want to be a lawyer. Instead, he wants to enlist in the Union Army much to the dismay of his mother, who’s still grieving from the death of her younger son William four years earlier.

Now, Lincoln has to put all his courage together to unite a struggling nation.

The story of Lincoln’s final months can be seen as too predictable for a major motion picture, but the well-written story line and top-notch cast helps  elevate way above the predictable.

Since Kushner’s roots is in theater, the movie is like a big theater production coming to life. There are more talking scenes than action scenes, but the characters keep you interested all the way through.

Politics may not be for everybody, but considering the simpler time of the 1860’s is where the congress bickering scenes truly shine. So much arguing and verbal assaults will have you laughing along.

Speaking of laughter, some parts of the movie go into slapstick comedy involving Lincoln’s negotiators (James Spader, John Hawkes, and Tim Blake Nelson) trying to get fellow politicians to vote in favor of the amendment.

Spader, in particular, steals all his scenes as if he was playing a drunken version of his character from the hit TV show Boston Legal. It may seem too funny for this sort of movie, but it contrasts well with the rest of the film.

No doubt the brightest spot in the cast is Day-Lewis and his sure-to-be award-winning performance. His Lincoln is pretty close to the historical president with his higher voice, unusual posture and his knack for giving long speeches. It might even be the best interpretation of Lincoln of them all.

Field and Jones also deserve awards for their fantastic performances. Field brings plenty of dramatic pathos to her character, while Jones lights it up with his gruff exterior and delightful personality.

Spielberg has done it again by directing a dramatic film that’s sure to be on everyone's best-of list of his illustrious career. With a great cast, powerful writing and a nice contrast of drama and comedy, Lincoln is easily one of the best films of the year. Don’t miss out on this instant classic.

THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for an intense scene of war violence, some images of carnage, and brief strong language)

THE CRITIC’S RATING: 4 Stars (Out of Four)