Joseph Gordon-Levitt now also known as
JGL in Hollywood jargon whose recent role in "The Dark Knight Rises"
started people talking about a spin off movie on Robin is on a roll after his
strong screen presence as the masked crusader's loyal ally. From his
other previous works spanning various film genres such as "500 Days of
Summer," "Looper," "Premium Rush,"
"Inception" and "A River Runs Through It" now comes
his most notable role in the Steven Spielberg-directed Academy-award nominated
thrilling epic "Lincoln."
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| Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox |
JGL forms part of an Award-Winning cast in "Lincoln" headed by Daniel
Day-Lewis in the title role, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones. The
movie focuses on the last four months of Abraham Lincoln, illuminating the man
as a political genius, as an anguished family man and, most of all, as a
courageous defender of the United States of America.
A rich human drama plays out as Lincoln doubles down to end the devastating
Civil War not merely by ending the war but by fighting to pass the 13th
Amendment, permanently abolishing slavery. It will be an act of true national
daring. He will have to call upon all the skill, courage and moral fortitude
for which he’ll become legend. He will grapple with the impact of his actions
on the world and on those he loves. But what lies in the balance is what always
mattered most to Lincoln: to compel the American people, and thosein his
government of opposite persuasions, to alter course and aim higher, toward a
greater good for all mankind.
In condensing the last four months of Lincoln's life, the filmmakers felt it
imperativie to expound on the Lincoln marriage as well which was put under
further stress by the desire of their oldest son, Robert, to join the Union
Army and make his own contribution to the war effort. At 21 and a promising
Harvard student, Robert Lincoln didn’t have to go war like so many young men,
yet he felt compelled to be part of this historic moment. His parents felt
otherwise. Knowing the staggering mortality rate and still reeling from the
death of their son Willie, both tried to keep him a civilian in their own
ways.
Portraying the president’s oldest son (and the only Lincoln child to survive to
adulthood) is Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He tried to place himself into Bob
Lincoln’s dilemma. “Being privileged, I think Bob knows he is fortunate—because
who wants to fight in this war where so many are dying?” says Gordon-Levitt.
“At the same time, because of his circumstances, he’s been taken out of what’s
happening in the country. And that’s tough for him because he also really
believes in the cause of this war, believes in the rights of human beings, and
that makes him want to fight.”
Like Field, Gordon-Levitt first communicated with Daniel Day-Lewis in a more
21st century manner: via texting. “It was a little bizarre to be texting with
someone that I’ve idolized all my life,” he muses. “But it was a delight. He is
such a sweet and generous guy with his words. It really meant a lot when he
said,‘You're my first choice of who I want to do this.’”
Gordon-Levitt says that one of his greatest gratifications was bringing out the
more fallible side of Lincoln’s character, a side many have never seen. “I like
that this movie doesn’t turn Lincoln into a saint,” he says. “What he
accomplished in abolishing slavery was a truly great thing; but this movie also
shows the compromises he had to make, the things that he had to do that were
questionable in order to accomplish that goal. Bob is a good example of that
because he really never was able to have much of a relationship with his
father. That was a big sacrifice and showed how complicated Lincoln’s life
was. History is made by human beings and I like that this story portrays
Lincoln as a human being with personal flaws and hypocrisies as well as real
strengths and virtues.”
Gordon-Levitt felt a similar effect with Sally Field. “We were realistic
towards each other, calling each other ‘Mom’ and ‘Son’ and things like that. I
know that might sound weird to an outsider but when you play things that real,
everything becomes more genuine,” he summarizes.
"Lincoln"
opens February 20 in cinemas from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by
WarnerBros.
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