The Conspirator (2011)

I actually really enjoy this film. I thought it was very good. It’s decently clichéd and a bit melodramatic at times, but I did enjoy it. The Conspirator follows an interesting and previously untouched in film (as far as I’m concerned. I didn’t do a lot of research) topic, that of Mary Surratt, a woman (portrayed by Princess Buttercup/Jenny, Robin Wright) who, in the wake of the assassination of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, was trialed to have thought to be a conspirator in the murder. Her lawyer in the case was Fredrick Aiken (played by our brand new Charles Xavier, James McAvoy), a civil war veteran who is extremely saddened by the death of his president. He doesn’t want to take this case; he knows in his heart that Surratt is guilty, but he is coerced into doing this by his mentor, Reverdy Johnson (Tom Wilkinson). His best friend (Justin Long) and his girlfriend (Alexis Bledel) both think he should just forget the case. But he does not. He sticks with the case, and over time, he starts to realize that possibly, this woman may not be guilty. He thinks that the real conspirator was her son (played by Johnny Simmons, who was Young Neil in Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World), but she is being trialed anyway. The rest of this movie plays out this way. The movie is a courtroom drama, through and through. It is directed by Robert Redford, who directed a film that I love very much, Quiz Show. He directs both of these films a very similar way. He directs movies like one would direct a stage play. They feel like one of those classic films from the 40s. And that is not a bad thing at all. Because what people love about those films is that they are brilliantly acted, wonderfully directed, and exquisitely written. This film is that all the way. And that is why this film is worth watching.
8.5/10