When you think of Lincoln and their relation to media culture, one famous face probably leaps to mind: Matthew McConaughey. Since the actor’s pre-McConaissance role in the 2011 film The Lincoln Lawyer, the Oscar winner and his distinct drawl have become entwined with the Lincoln brand. In the series of commercials McConaughey filmed since, he’s presented Lincoln ownership as a confidently cool experience.
And yet Lincoln’s cinematic history extends well beyond the True Detective star’s endearing endorsements. Here are five times when Lincoln and the world of movies have memorably collided.
The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
The Lincoln Lawyer and its aforementioned star may not be the end-all-be-all when it comes to Lincoln in modern cinema... but it's certainly the place you’ve got to start. McConaughey stars as Mickey Haller, a lawyer who operates, aptly enough, from the back seat of his 1986 Lincoln Town Car. That means we get plenty of shots of the Lincoln’s luxurious interior, as Haller begins to suspect his client is more guilty than he’s letting on. The film was a key part of McConaughey’s career revitalization and unofficially launched his ambassadorship with Lincoln. Today, Mickey Haller’s adventures continue in Netflix’s Lincoln Lawyer television adaptation, which is currently prepping its third season.
The Hangover Part III (2013)
A 2003 Lincoln Town Car stretched limousine made a cameo appearance in the first installment of this Vegas-set comedy trilogy. But it’s the third movie where Lincoln’s luxury limo moves into the spotlight, highlighted by madcap chase scenes through the neon-drenched Vegas streets. Considering Lincoln retired the Town Car in 2011, this may be the final time (period pieces aside) where we get to see the Town Car stretched limo in action... or at least until The Hangover Part 4 inevitably arrives way too late.
The Car (1977)
Reaching back a bit further into the archives, the titular Car in 1977’s The Car is a demonically possessed 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III. Four separate Continentals were built for the supernatural horror film, which involves the unmanned Lincoln going on a murderous rampage in a small town. Influenced by road movies of that era, including Spielberg’s Duel and Roger Corman’s Death Race 2000, the James Brolin-led film was panned by critics at the time, but has amassed somewhat of a cult following. More importantly, its villainous vehicle helped bring Lincoln into the mainstream.
The Long Goodbye (1973)
Robert Altman's satirical neo-noir The Long Goodbye is based on Raymond Chandler’s 1953 novel of the same name. Iconic private investigator Philip Marlowe – portrayed here by Elliot Gould – is investigating his wife’s murder, as neo-noir private investigators are wont to do. To crack the case, Marlowe makes several trips to and from Mexico in a 1948 Lincoln Continental Convertible Cabriolet. Interestingly, Altman moved his adaptation from the book’s 1940’s Hollywood setting to the 1970’s, but kept the 1948 Continental – perhaps as an homage to the classic noir aesthetic.
The Matrix (1999)
After would-be chosen one Neo opts for the red pill in 1999’s groundbreaking sci-fi hit The Matrix, things get pretty dark pretty fast. What better vehicle to convey Neo’s troubled mental state (and future wardrobe) than an imposingly black 1965 Lincoln Continental? The fourth-generation Continental features prominently as Neo’s pre-flight mode of transport, using it throughout the second half of the film to evade Agent Smith and his viral cohorts. It's also where he and Trinity make their proper introductions. Earlier this year, The Matrix celebrated its 25th anniversary, giving you the perfect excuse to watch a movie you should be rewatching every year anyway. (Whether or not you need to give the sequels another shot is more debatable.)
Write Your Own Script at Casa Lincoln
Though we’ve given you a broad range of films, we’ve barely touched upon the Lincoln’s full filmography. Lincolns play main or supporting roles in the Sean Connery-starring 1964 Bond flick Goldfinger, 1978 cult classic National Lampoon’s Animal House, and 2012 Dax Shepard comedy Hit and Run. Lincoln's ubiquity has also carried into the world of television, where Lincoln has turned up in everything from the 1960’s Batman series to more modern fare like HBO’s Entourage.
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