Young Mr. Lincoln

YOUNG MR. LINCOLN has a pretty self-explanatory title, except that it's false. The film pretends to tell the "origin story" of Lincoln, except that the story it tells is fictionalized. John Ford directed the film, placing Henry Fonda in the role of the young Lincoln. We see him with a girl, he leaves, and upon his return, finds her to be dead. He seems heartbroken, and he laments at her grave, asking her what career path he should take. The music swells: a sappy score characteristic of such a propaganda film, which basically furthers Lincoln's standing as an honest, great American. Apart from this being a fake film, the events are slightly compelling. Lincoln decides to be a lawyer, and Fonda plays him as a broken soul, musing intelligently every once in a while like a good, laconic, cowboy figure pervasive in Ford's multitude of other films. Lincoln's convenient chance to prove himself comes at the expense of a death. Two boys seem to be the culprits, and the townspeople are quick to want to hang them. Lincoln, however, attempts to convince the townspeople of good, virtuous American values, and so starts a trial, more sappy music, and more sanctimonious speeches. Fonda is quite good in his role, pulling on Lincoln's earlier, traumatizing experience to play him as a figure who is smart with the conciseness and wit of his words. Ford, directing, also makes YOUNG MR. LINCOLN a lot better than the MGM memo sporting it as a good American film deserves to be. His directing powers at this point are quite great: his mis-en-scene coupled with foreboding scenes that are obviously a reference to Lincoln's later years. This is all unfortunately undone by the film's sappiness, for that just lacquers the film a sense of pre-disposition.

Young Mr. Lincoln: ★★1/2