Better Angels

[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
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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.