Title: The Conspirator
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Robert Redford
Starring: James McAvoy, Robin Wright
Runtime: 2 hr 2 mins

What It Is?  Following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by the actor John Wilkes Booth seven other men and one woman are being charged as a part of a conspiracy to kill the president, vice president, and secretary of state. The supposed motive is Southern vengeance  following their unsuccessful bit for secession, which along with other issues caused the American Civil War. One of these said conspirators is John Surratt, a young man who so mightly wanted to fight for the Confederacy, but whose mother did not let him. The lone woman standing trial is his mother Mary Surratt (Wright), she is in need of a lawyer to prove her innocence. That is where Fredrick Allen (McAvoy) a former captain of the Union army, and law student, he is chosen by Reverdy Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) whom is the modern equivalent of the District Attorney. Problem is ha doesn’t think she’s innocent, and much like the entirety of the country doesn’t really care. In fact the crazed Secretary of War Edward Stanton (Kevin Kline) will stop at nothing until southern blood is shed over the death of Lincoln. Allen however must now battle a stacked deck as well as his own personal feelings to somehow prove without a shadow of a doubt she is innocent.

What We Think? It’s a heavily historical and this is mainly due to it being the first feature by the American Film Company, a studio who hopes to tell stories with historical backing, that are equal parts factual and gripping. While still holding a sense of accessibility. I think the latter lacked somewhat here, and often it felt like the story fell flat when it should’ve crescendoed . However the stunning performances from Wright, and McAvoy make this historical piece intriguing.

Our Grade: B- , While it lacks the pulse pounding action of other courtroom dramas it still has its charms. I give the AFC credit for using not only period clothing, but building period sets that looked authentic. As I mentioned the really fervor of this film is in McAvoy’s turn, and specifically his courtroom banter with the prosecutor Jospeh Holt (Danny Huston), and Commission leader Gen. David Hunter (Colm Meaney)…aside from that Mrs. Lincoln how was the show.

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