Review of The Conspirator (2011) by Josh M — 20 Aug 2011

Though this film about the trial of the accused Abraham Lincoln murderers did not recieve as much glorious praise as a picture about a major historical event as directed by Robert Redford I thought would, I still think "The Conspirator" is one of the better, most intriguing films I've seen this year.

It is a little slow paced and a few performers here seem out of place. There is no doubt Alexis Bledel and Justin Long simply jumped at the opportunity to work with Redford and you can't blame them it is simply their persona is so modern it is hard to accept them as civil war era civilians.

That is all besides the point though as the real stars here are Robin Wright and the consistently impressive James McAvoy. Redford spends little time on the actual assassination here, opening with the quick execution and moving right onto the actual aftermath of one of the greatest crimes in American history.

This disturbing story chronicles how far the government went to feel some kind of resolution in the Lincoln case. Placing Mary Suratt, a local boarding house owner that was the sanctuary for the team that conspired against our sixteenth president.

Suratt's son, John, was one of the young men within that group and based on that and the accusation she knew what they were doing and allowed it to go on within her property she was put on trial for Lincoln's murder.

There is a great supporting cast here, from Tom Wilkinson to Kevin Kline as well as Evan Rachel Wood making an impressive performance out of a rather minor role. As said though, this is really Wright and McAvoy's movie and they completely bring it.

McAvoy as Frederick Aiken, a former unioun soldier and now serving as a lawyer who is called upon to defend Suratt. As Suratt, Wright gives a grand actors showcase and truly captures the reality of what her situation presents her with.

The courtroom scenes are brisk yet tense with the behind the curtain actions taking presedence as to how they influence what happens in front of the jury. Redford keeps the movie moving at a fairly reasonable pace and while every now and then we feel it start to drag we never flinch as the outcome, though it is already known, it too brutally unforgiveable to give up on.

It is a sad scar in our history. Both the crime and the unnecessary murder that followed it. "The Conspirator" won't be talked about come awards season and even if it had been released later this year it probably wouldn't have been a serious contender, but Robin Wright certainly deserved more attention for this performance and if there is any reason to rent this historical drama it is her fine performance.