THE CONSPIRATOR (2011) **1/2 James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Tom Wilkinson, Kevin Kline, Danny Huston, Evan Rachel Wood, Colm Meaney, Justin Long, Norman Reedus, Toby Kebbell, Jonathan Goff, Stephen Root, Johnny Simmons, James Badge Dale. Robert Redford's heavy-handed historical drama about the assassination of Lincoln and its aftermath –namely putting swift justice to appease a grieving nation in spite of its costs – with McAvoy as the reluctant defense attorney, Frederick Aiken, attempting to save his main client, Mary Surratt (a stoic Wright) from the hoosegow –is for the most part rather dull and repetitive (most courtroom dramas tend to spill into melodrama such as this one) however the production design overall – particularly Newton Thomas Sigal's evocative cinematography – is first-rate with fine acting ensemble (i.e. Kline as the headstrong Edwin Stanton) that rises above the slog that is James Solomon's adaptation of Gregory Bernstein's story.
Review of The Conspirator
The Conspirator
(2010)
Redford's heavy-handed historical drama saved by handsome production and able acting thru the slog of Solomon's script.
19 April 2011
Warning: Spoilers