The Consiprator Review

• 23rd Oct 2011

The Conspirator is a historical drama, following the proceedings of the trial of Mary Surrat (portrayed by Robin Wright), the only female charged of conspiracy to murder Abraham Lincoln, and was also the first woman executed by the United States Federal Government. Her reluctant defence attorney Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) is a war hero who, over the course of the trial, comes to believe Surrat’s innocence, and goes against his peer’s beliefs in trying to prove that she is not guilty.

Opening scenes of this film may be similar to a history lesson, though director Robert Redford does the job well in portraying the chaos following the murder of America’s leader. From thereon, this compelling drama keeps the viewer watching and engrossed in the courtroom proceedings.

In the awkward position of trying to go against, not only his peer’s judgment, but that of the government also, we see Aiken fight a struggle in both the courtroom and in his every day life. Friends turn from him, once colleagues are now foes, and in the heat of this Aiken fights for the very person he was fighting against not 6 months beforehand.

McAvoy’s range in this film is quite compelling, where we see him turn from the reluctance initially shown to defending Surrat, to the fight for her over everyone else. It is imaginable and can be compared to what I might have thought to see the actual Aiken go through 150 years ago. While his acting skills have been questioned at times, it is clear from this effort that McAvoy has quite a formidable talent.

Wright also plays her part well. The Forrest Gump actress spreads her Southern accent and demeanour with amazing ease, and is emotionally spirited as the woman who seems convinced that she is innocent, regardless of what the American government seem to think.

The factually-based drama does indeed show, without bending the truth, the engagings of what was a terribly rigged trial, with almost all of Aiken’s defences being overruled and objected, not to mention the vast incompetence of the military jury in not allowing Surrat’s only daughter, Anna, see her mother as she stands as witness to the trial.

As the nation mourns the fall of its president, it is clear that the acting trial does not seem to look for justice; but for revenge.

The Conspirator DVD boasts a great amount of bonus features, surprising for a film which wasn’t so well received at the box office. Other than the usual directorial commentary and making-of featurettes now customary with DVD and BLU-RAY release, there is also a “Witness History” feature, documenting everything from Production Design, to features on the characters of Aiken and Surrat, the latter getting into the question of whether she was, in fact, innocent or not.

Redford’s historical look at the sometimes narrow mind of the American government in action is definitely worth a look at if you missed it on the silver screen, and if you did see it then, the special features here are more than enough of a reason to give it a second go. The Conspirator is a drama that does something most dramas fail to do – engage the viewer, and beg their concentration.

Chris Droney