The Conspirator

Robert Redford's The Conspirator talks about a time in American history that is not covered in much detail in most American History classes in school - The aftermath of President Lincoln's assassination, and a military trial that was so desperate for justice and someone to blame for the crime, that a woman who possibly had alleged involvement with the murder found herself on trial, with an entire nation wanting to see her dead for a crime her son committed.

That woman was Mary Surratt, a name that has pretty much been lost to history. It's commendable that the film tries to shine some light on this forgotten part of the story. As for the film itself, it's compelling at times, and somewhat sluggish at others. Screenwriter James D. Solomon often writes his dialogue with a heavy hand, and some of the scenes suffer from a strange sort of stiffness that prevents some of the information we receive from packing the punch we think it should. But, when the film does work (which is often enough for me to recommend the film), it is undeniably powerful. It's handsomely filmed, has a strong and talented cast, and is bound to have people talking about the story and looking up the real facts when it's over.

In the film, Mary is played by Robin Wright, who brings a sort of quiet intensity to her role. We learn that in 1865, Mary Surratt ran the boardinghouse where the plot to kill Lincoln was conceived. Her son, John (Johnny Simmons), was one of the conspirators in on the plot. But after the assassination, John disappeared. Mary appears to be arrested and put on trial, because her son could not be found, and the government needed someone to be blamed in his place. The fact that she refuses to give any actual real information on her son only adds to the nation's anger toward her. Although we do get to witness the assassination early on in the film, the movie is more focused on the trial itself, and how the government seemed to make up its case against Mary as the trial went along, even resorting to paying off certain people to testify against her.

The man defending Mary at her trial is Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy), who fought for the North during the Civil War, and now finds himself conflicted as he's defending this woman who may have been involved with the murder of the President. He doesn't want to represent her initially, but is pressed into doing so by his superior, Reverdy Johnson (a very good Tom Wilkinson in a minor role). Frederick obviously wants nothing to do with Mary Surratt, and believes her to be guilty. However, during the course of the trial, Frederick begins to suspect that the government officials are intentionally stacking things against his client's favor, and questions if Mary could ever get a fair trial. As evidence begins to mount that she just might be innocent, he becomes desperate to show the corruption going on within the trial.

McAvoy's passionate portrayal of Aiken is one of the major elements that prevents The Conspirator from becoming a stuffy bore. Though the dialogue is sometimes stilted and ham-fisted, McAvoy, Wright, and the rest of the cast (which also includes Kevin Kline and Evan Rachel Wood) bring the right amount of intensity and humanity to their characters. Plus, the film's central theme is riveting. It's fascinating to see the case against Mary being built up as the trial goes along, making it impossible not to get involved. Redford uses a deliberately slow pace, but at the same time, you can tell that he is stacking up the tension and the anger in his audience. We begin to share Frederick Aiken's frustration over the lack of justice in the courtroom, and become even more involved. The movie asks some hard questions, makes some interesting points on the topic of family and patriotism, and the central theme of the government's rush to judgement is a timely and terrifying one.

For all its obvious faults, The Conspirator still managed to work for me, and its ending (which I will not reveal) is undeniably powerful, and bound to stick with you long after it's over. This could have easily been a wooden and deadly dull film, but the performances and Redford's ability to mount subtle tension lifts the material. It may not be perfect, but The Conspirator is a film that stays with you.

See the movie times in your area or buy the DVD at Amazon.com!

0 comments