Better Angels

[Lincoln Wonk]

Did anyone see the trailer for the new movie Better Angels? This is an article about it:

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/10/23/be...s-trailer/

[RJNorton]

Kathy, yesterday I received an email which said this movie has been "showing up around the country in limited release."

[KatieH]

The trailer looks good, and it's been garnering positive reviews (though from what I've heard if you're not a Terrence Malick fan, you might want to stay away).

It's scheduled to be released at an independent movie theater in my area on Nov. 14, so I'll definitely check it out if I'm around that weekend and report back with a review!

[LincolnToddFan]

I had no idea about this film...the things I'd miss out on if I was not a member here!

HUGE thank you for the heads up, Linda!

[Linda Anderson]

(10-24-2014 07:58 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  I had no idea about this film...the things I'd miss out on if I was not a member here!

HUGE thank you for the heads up, Linda!

Hi Toia, it was Lincoln Wonk (Kathy) who posted about the film and it does sound fascinating. Thanks, Kathy!

"Written and directed by A.J. Edwards, The Better Angels delves into visual and narrative poetry to express the Lincolns' world. The stark wilderness they inhabit comes alive in stunning black-and-white cinematography, and the story follows the lyrical course of the characters, who struggle physically and emotionally. They are forced to take on new additions to the family, learning what acceptance and empathy really mean. With an elegant touch and extreme attention to historical accuracy, Edwards shows the austerity of the era and reveals what shaped one of history's most distinctive leaders."

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_better_angels/

Here's the film's site.

http://betterangelsfilm.com/#history

[LincolnToddFan]

A little late but much thanks, Kathy!

[RJNorton]

I received this announcement from President Lincoln's Cottage:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"The Better Angels," a new film by Terrence Malick and A.J. Edwards, opens in selected theaters this November. Based on 19th-century interviews with Lincoln's family members, "The Better Angels" uses evocative black and white cinematography to conjure an image of early America and sheds new light on Abraham Lincoln's formative years. C

President Lincoln's Cottage will host a screening of "The Better Angels" on Tuesday November 18 evening (time TBD) at Landmark Theatres E Street Cinema. Please join us and enjoy a brief introduction by Callie Hawkins, Associate Director for Programs at President Lincoln's Cottage.

Landmark Theatres E Street Cinema

555 11th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20004

Entrance is located on E Street between 10th and 11th Streets NW

Tickets available the week prior to the screening. Contact Landmark Theatres for tickets: 202-783-9494 or online.

[RJNorton]

Many thanks to Kieran for sending this link to a review of the movie.

http://news360.com/article/264748450#

[Rob Wick]

Tonight, the Historic Southern Indiana Outreach partnered with the Abraham Lincoln National Boyhood Historic Site for a sneak preview of “Better Angels” before it opens in New York and Los Angeles. Directed by A.J. Edwards and produced by Terence Malick, the film showcases the early life of Lincoln in southern Indiana. I attended the film along with a good friend of mine.

From a historical standpoint, the film pretty much follows the standard story. Given that Edwards used the book “There I Grew Up” by William Bartelt, there is really little to complain about from that perspective. The only thing that seemed troublesome was a scene which shows a group of African-American slaves in chains being led through the forest in front of the young Lincoln. Even though slavery was banned in Indiana by the Northwest Ordinance, there were still some slaves in the state at the time Lincoln lived there up to about 1820, so it’s not impossible that something like that ever happened, but to the best of my knowledge, Lincoln never spoke of anything like that. The scene seemed tacked on.

The use of Dennis Hanks as narrator also bothered me, given the unreliability of his testimony. It seems a better option that the director could have used would have been Lincoln himself reminiscing on his youth, but I doubt too many people not familiar with Hanks would have the same problem as me. The young boy who played Lincoln, Braydon Denney, who is from Kentucky, appeared at the advance screening and talked with the audience after the movie. He did a good job capturing what it must have been like for the young Abraham Lincoln without turning him into a caricature of the noble youth which could have easily happened. In his short conversation with the audience, he seemed like any other young boy.

The dialogue in the film is sparse, which seemed to make it drag in places. The score seemed out of place as it was mostly classical music, where songs of the day might have been more effective. The film could have been cut down by about 30 minutes without hurting it in any way. Using black and white instead of color gave it an almost existential feel, which I think will turn some people off. To be honest, other than the dedicated Lincoln aficionado, I doubt too many people will pick this as a Saturday night movie, but then again, that would probably be the case given that the film will likely have a limited release.

In addition to Denney, the other actors who appeared in the film did a good job. Jason Clarke, who played Thomas Lincoln, did so without making him a beast or a saint. He was a rough-hewn frontier man who was kept busy making sure his family survived, yet he did have moments of tender affection for his young son. Brit Marling, who played Nancy Lincoln and Diane Kruger, who was Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln, both did a good job, but I have to say that every time I saw them on screen, I thought 21st century actresses instead of 19th century pioneer women. To be fair, given that we have no idea what Nancy Hanks looked like and the only picture of Sarah was shortly before her death in 1869 at the age of 80, it’s difficult to imagine them as young women.

One wishes the film had actually been shot in southern Indiana instead of New York State as it would have added to the realism. Having been to the boyhood site before, it didn’t really match the set. I guess a forest is a forest is a forest, but in a nitpicky way, it bothered me. Plus, my friend who came along said, having not known where the movie was filmed, that it reminded him of New York State, where he used to live.

Overall, I have to say the film was very well done and I can recommend it without too many reservations. It’s not “Lincoln” by any means, but it doesn’t pretend to be. It is one filmmaker’s attempt to tell the story of the early life of a great American hero. All in all, it was an enjoyable movie.

Best
Rob

[L Verge]

Very worthwhile review. Thanks, Rob.

[HerbS]

It is now playing in Rochester,NY theaters!

[irshgrl500]

Overall, I have to say the film was very well done and I can recommend it without too many reservations. It’s not “Lincoln” by any means, but it doesn’t pretend to be. It is one filmmaker’s attempt to tell the story of the early life of a great American hero. All in all, it was an enjoyable movie.

Best
Rob
[/quote]

I do intend on seeing the film, while it is still in theaters. I do not expect it to be a historical depiction of Abraham Lincoln's childhood, as that has much to do with who is depicting the history. I'm not sure Lincoln really ever knew or perceived that his childhood was an enormous risk and struggle. With the exception of the death of Nancy, I think his perception was a myriad of MOSTLY positive memories; particularly after his step mother, Sarah came into his life. He adored both Sarah(s) in his life; step mother and sister. Also, it is difficult to retell a man's story from HIS perception, if the narrator is his cousin/friend, Dennis Hanks. It is Lincoln’s story from the prospective of Hanks.
One of the most eye opening and SAD biographies of Lincoln I have read, with regard to his childhood, was a volume written by former Senator Albert Beveridge, which I received from you, Rob. He wrote with what I trust was great accuracy of the conditions of Lincoln's home, when Lincoln was little. Seriously, after Nancy died, the home wasn't a home it was a sett or a den, and riddled with vermin and disease. It sounded like Thomas Lincoln was way in over his head, very poor, depressed and desperately needed help. Being a little boy, with a sister also about the same age, having just watched your mother die (over a week or more time) had to have been horrific. But, this and other harrowing experiences are what I think the film makers set out to tell in a story about the horrific experiences that helped shape one of the greatest men ever to have lived. Not a historical account.

[LincolnMan]

(11-05-2014 10:34 PM)Rob Wick Wrote:  Tonight, the Historic Southern Indiana Outreach partnered with the Abraham Lincoln National Boyhood Historic Site for a sneak preview of “Better Angels” before it opens in New York and Los Angeles. Directed by A.J. Edwards and produced by Terence Malick, the film showcases the early life of Lincoln in southern Indiana. I attended the film along with a good friend of mine.

From a historical standpoint, the film pretty much follows the standard story. Given that Edwards used the book “There I Grew Up” by William Bartelt, there is really little to complain about from that perspective. The only thing that seemed troublesome was a scene which shows a group of African-American slaves in chains being led through the forest in front of the young Lincoln. Even though slavery was banned in Indiana by the Northwest Ordinance, there were still some slaves in the state at the time Lincoln lived there up to about 1820, so it’s not impossible that something like that ever happened, but to the best of my knowledge, Lincoln never spoke of anything like that. The scene seemed tacked on.

The use of Dennis Hanks as narrator also bothered me, given the unreliability of his testimony. It seems a better option that the director could have used would have been Lincoln himself reminiscing on his youth, but I doubt too many people not familiar with Hanks would have the same problem as me. The young boy who played Lincoln, Braydon Denney, who is from Kentucky, appeared at the advance screening and talked with the audience after the movie. He did a good job capturing what it must have been like for the young Abraham Lincoln without turning him into a caricature of the noble youth which could have easily happened. In his short conversation with the audience, he seemed like any other young boy.

The dialogue in the film is sparse, which seemed to make it drag in places. The score seemed out of place as it was mostly classical music, where songs of the day might have been more effective. The film could have been cut down by about 30 minutes without hurting it in any way. Using black and white instead of color gave it an almost existential feel, which I think will turn some people off. To be honest, other than the dedicated Lincoln aficionado, I doubt too many people will pick this as a Saturday night movie, but then again, that would probably be the case given that the film will likely have a limited release.

In addition to Denney, the other actors who appeared in the film did a good job. Jason Clarke, who played Thomas Lincoln, did so without making him a beast or a saint. He was a rough-hewn frontier man who was kept busy making sure his family survived, yet he did have moments of tender affection for his young son. Brit Marling, who played Nancy Lincoln and Diane Kruger, who was Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln, both did a good job, but I have to say that every time I saw them on screen, I thought 21st century actresses instead of 19th century pioneer women. To be fair, given that we have no idea what Nancy Hanks looked like and the only picture of Sarah was shortly before her death in 1869 at the age of 80, it’s difficult to imagine them as young women.

One wishes the film had actually been shot in southern Indiana instead of New York State as it would have added to the realism. Having been to the boyhood site before, it didn’t really match the set. I guess a forest is a forest is a forest, but in a nitpicky way, it bothered me. Plus, my friend who came along said, having not known where the movie was filmed, that it reminded him of New York State, where he used to live.

Overall, I have to say the film was very well done and I can recommend it without too many reservations. It’s not “Lincoln” by any means, but it doesn’t pretend to be. It is one filmmaker’s attempt to tell the story of the early life of a great American hero. All in all, it was an enjoyable movie.

Best
Rob

I haven’t seen the film yet. Thankful for your review. I watched the preview. It seemed moody. It seemed like an art piece.