Well, good for him, if that's what he wants. Sad, however, because I happen to think Daniel could be the greatest living actor today.
I've written before about some 'scenes' in movies, (and a few entire movies in which EVERY scene qualified), in which actors simply NAIL the role... and reach a level of performance that's other-worldly. Daniel achieved that, IMHO, in the movie "Lincoln".
I have read a lot about Lincoln, being a Civil War buff.. and I mean a LOT. I have never in my life seen a scene in a movie capture the essence of a historical figure the way Daniel captured Lincoln in the scene where he tells the joke. If you've read much about Lincoln, as I have, you MUST have noticed this yourself. Lincoln's humility, his recognition of his own failings... his unfailing belief in a 'greater good' coming about by small steps.. steps that would actually 'work'. All of that encapsulated in one scene.. a scene in which 'policy' never even comes up.
Well, I'm going to miss the guy. I wish him well. Part of me believes, (a pretty darned big part), that his ability to stay focused on who he was as a person and not succumb to the tantalizing perks of fame and fortune is what made him such a great actor in the first place.... so stepping down is not that big a surprise - and his case, most likely inevitable. - JamesJM
