This reviewer recently panned a film that everyone loves (Midnight in Paris), but today he will laud a film that other reviewers have panned. Is David out of step with the world?
I had the great pleasure of viewing Robert Redford's masterpiece, The Conspirator. As a Lincoln and Civil War buff (I have read many books on Honest Abe and visited most Civil War sites), I must admire the historical accuracy of this film. Redford did his homework.
The story is well-known by even the I-hate-history folks: Mary Surratt was the owner of the boarding house in which John Wilkes Booth and others gathered to plan their vicious plot. Did Mary know about it? Was she involved? Did she deserve to be the first woman to die on the gallows back in 1865? These are just some of the questions addressed in the film.
But there's a greater theme that persists: Do suspects have rights even when the country is furious and seeking vengeance? The question is still not resolved: The military today seeks to try terrorists rather than have them judged by a jury of peers in a civil court.
OK, those are the overall themes. But what really counts in the film is the fine acting: James McAvoy, a little known character actor, shines as the brave young lawyer who defends Mary Surratt. There could be an Oscar nomination forthcoming for him. Tom Wilkinson, always wonderful, again proves his mettle as the lawyer's mentor. Robin Wright is excellent as Mary Surratt, sometimes arrogant, sometimes docile, sometimes guilty, sometimes innocent, always fascinating as The Conspirator.
Go back in time to another era. The film makes you feel as if you are in 1865. It's about as authentic as period pieces can get.
I assign a grade of A. A must-see. Leave it to Redford to teach such an awesome history lesson.
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