titletheconspirator

With the wounds of civil war fresh and bleeding in the hearts of many, John Wilkes Booth jumps a balcony and shoots dead the President of the United States. Retribution must be swift, decisive and visible for the sake of public good. Most of those responsible are rounded up along with many who may have conspired with the perpetrators. But if known associates are caught up in the frenzy, people whose sympathies alone were enough cause for suspicion and imprisonment, so be it. There is a threat, and fear, and leadership will prevail.

Robert Redford's eighth film as director successfully tackles a tale of nationhood while leveraging the very modern resonance it contains: negotiating fear he says, is at the heart of governance. A device as useful to Bush, Orwell or Johnson, Abraham Lincoln's successor. Embroiled in the assassination was landlady Mary Surratt (Robin Wright) whose son conspired with Booth at her boarding house. While not guilty of pulling the trigger herself, association was enough for arrest and charges that would lead, if proven, to the death penalty.

A military court was convened with fresh faced barrister Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) appointed to the woman's defence. His interest lay less with her murky intent than with upholding the principles of the constitution. Prosecutor Joseph Holt (Danny Huston) did the Government's dirty work, upholding Senator Stanton's (Kevin Kline) clear need for Surratt to be found guilty. Thus with ideals of a new nation under threat, un-American behaviour took place in the name of America, a story that resonates loud and clear today. One that even reaches across to our own shores.

Redford strives for epic court room drama with mixed results. A somewhat stodgy screenplay is undoubtedly impeccably researched but wants for levity. There's an emphasis on telling rather than showing and events are consequently far less engaging than they should be. It engages the brain much more than emotion, failing to make the blood boil as a story of this nature probably should.

However The Conspirator is beautifully shot, making the very most of locations and first-rate design. Redford, an actor's director, garners impassioned performances from the principle cast: McAvoy is delightfully conflicted and earnest and principled. Terrific to watch, as is Huston as he fends his opponents every thrust and parry. However the standout is Robin Wright in her best role in years. She effortlessly embodies the fearless woman who, like her lawyer, albeit from divergent viewpoints, is uncompromising. Wright brings a poise and grace to Surratt that is quietly mesmerising. Nor is she afraid of a close up, and it serves her well.

The Conspirator is a robust production that sits well among Redford's slate of films, one that could even earn him another Oscar nomination for Wright's performance. He keeps alive a timely discussion while reintroducing audiences to a defining moment in history. The poised, literate approach won't sit well with all audiences, but will be warmly embraced by those with a taste for thoughtful, considered and well made cinema.

// COLIN FRASER
moviereview colin fraser film movie australia review critic flicks



STUFF

CAST
James McAvoy
Robin Wright
Danny Huston
Kevin Kline

DIRECTOR
Robert Redford

SCREENWRITER
James D. Solomon

COUNTRY
USA

RATING / RUNTIME
M / 122 minutes

AUSTRALIAN
RELEASE DATE
July 28, 2011
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
Stacks Image 158
moviereview colin fraser film movie australia review critic flicks