Rival Politicians Team for 'Lincoln' Screening in Bid to Unite Senate

3:44 PM PST 12/6/2012 by Tina Daunt

181
45
0
2
67
Email
Print
Comments

In a letter obtained by THR, Senators Harry Reid (D) and Mitch McConnell (R) invite colleagues to a showing of the drama, followed by a Q&A with Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis.

Abraham Lincoln heroically reunited a fractured nation, and now it appears that the leaders of the U.S. Senate are hoping he can do the same for a deeply divided chamber once renowned for its bipartisan civility.

Sen. Harry Reid to Screen 'Lincoln' for the U.S. Senate

'Lincoln' Cussing: What the F@*&! Is Up With This S#@?!

THR's Costume Designers Roundtable: 'Les Miserables,' 'Lincoln' Pros Spill Secrets on This Season's Best-Dressed Films

Read the Full Letter Here

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who these days often seem barely on speaking terms, sent out a joint invitation to all their Senate colleagues and their spouses to attend a screening of Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19.

DreamWorks is the official host, and after the film, Spielberg, Daniel Day-Lewis, who portrays Lincoln, screenwriter Tony Kushner and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin -- on whose book the script is based -- will take questions from the lawmakers. (Hint: Make a deal; don’t go over that cliff.)

VIDEO: 'Lincoln's' Sally Field on Becoming Mary Todd Lincoln

"Lincoln has captivated audiences across the nation and received outstanding reviews," Reid and McConnell wrote. "Based in part on [Goodwin's] widely acclaimed book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, the film depicts the good which is attainable when public servants put the betterment of the country ahead of short-term political interests.

"We believe that viewing this film would provide all senators with a positive opportunity to gather and reflect during this holiday season."

PHOTOS: 'Lincoln' Premiere: Steven Spielberg, Daniel Day-Lewis Celebrate the 16th President

Reid saw Lincoln in November at a special White House screening with President Barack Obama. He told a reporter from the Las Vegas Review-Journal during the weekend that he was so impressed with the film that he wanted to show it to the full Senate.