Movie reviews
Appointed to defend Surratt is Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy), a Yankee veteran of the war who very quickly informs Surratt that he believes her to be guilty of the charges laid. Written by James Solomon and directed by Robert Redford, the film offers parallels with more recent events in American history, and specifically the undermining of civil liberties by those constitutionally bound to uphold them.
Redford is a little too keen to emphasise the contemporary aspects of the Surratt case, in the process burnishing his Democratic credentials in Hollywood, but that aside, The Conspirator makes for a gripping courtroom drama, as Aiken puts aside his personal prejudice and campaigns for Surratt’s innocence on the basis that justice must be seen to be done if the Union’s boast of a free democracy is not to ring hollow. The historical detail is well observed, and Redford has marshalled an excellent cast to his cause. Wright and McAvoy, superb in the lead roles, receive strong support from Tom Wilkinson, Evan Rachel Wood, Danny Huston and particularly Kevin Kline, who revels in the Machiavellian role of the aptly titled Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton. The film might have been more compelling had Redford relaxed his grip on the political consequences of Surratt’s trial, and allowed the personal conundrums more space to evolve, but with a number of unexpected twists and turns, it results in a very satisfying film.
