Directed by Robert Redford, The Conspirator stars Robin Wright who is perfectly cast as Mary Surratt – a confederate, a mother, and a staunch Catholic – who runs a boarding house where John Wilkes Booth met to plan Lincoln’s assassination…
In the wake of the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln is shot and killed by the actor, John Wilkes Booth. But it’s the resulting criminal charges laid against Landlady, Mary Surratt, which take the focus of The Conspirator.
As the lone woman implicated in Lincoln’s assassination, Mary Surratt finds herself embroiled in a crime she swears had no part in, yet is facing a military tribunal that seems set on seeing her hanged for it.
Directed by Robert Redford, The Conspirator stars Robin Wright who is perfectly cast in the lead role as Mary Surratt – a confederate, a mother, and a staunch Catholic – who runs a boarding house where John Wilkes Booth and others met to plan the attack, and who is being used as bait to capture the only conspirator to escape: her own son, John Surratt.
James McAvoy plays the young Union war-hero and newly minted lawyer, Frederick Aiken, who finds himself representing Mary Surratt against his wishes and against the approval of his peers.
The Conspirator is pitched as a thriller and it certainly held my attention throughout, though would probably be better described as a beefy historical drama. Not having personally studied much American history I was delighted to be able to become absorbed in the story without knowing what would happen next – holding my breath as the narrative unfolded.
A lover of films set in periods of recent history, I thoroughly enjoyed this story in every way. Everything from the sets to the costumes to the dust-laden air gave a feeling of authenticity to the story. Even the creak of the newly built wooden stairs leading to the gallows was attended to.
The only thing I didn’t fall for was Justin Long’s portrayal of Nicholas Baker, a peer of Aiken’s. I just couldn’t take him seriously (and I assume that I was meant to since the film had an overall serious quality) and therefore felt my immersion in the story was broken every time he entered the frame.
Young actress, Evan Rachel Wood, plays Mary Surratt’s daughter who remains under virtual house arrest throughout the whole ordeal. Other cast members include the very versatile Kevin Kline (who does successfully make the transfer from comedy actor to serious player), Danny Huston, Tom Wilkinson, and Alexis Bledel to name a few.
Had I not received an invitation to the media screening of The Conspirator I may have waited for the DVD but I am so glad that I didn’t, as it was by far the best film I’ve seen so far this year.
I give it a solid 8 out of 10 for authenticity, pace, and performances and recommend it to all who love historical films or something with a little more substance than usual.
THE CONSPIRATOR will be in cinemas from June 16th 2011.
By Jasmine Pearson 10 May 2011.
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