The Conspirator is a courtroom drama about those involved in Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Major history buffs might already know the tidbits presented in this story, but I was a political science major in college, and even I was surprised by parts of the plot.Seven men are on trial, as well as one woman, the mother of one of the co-conspirators. The only man who steps up as a defense lawyer for the accused is the young and inexperienced James McAvoy, and he comes across countless obstacles as he tries to give Robin Wright her right to a fair trial.If you didn't know Robert Redford directed this movie, you would probably think to yourself, "James McAvoy must really like Robert Redford!" As it is, I'm sure he does like Robert Redford, as does the rest of the all-star cast, since stars famously vie to work for the father of Sundance. If you close your eyes during some of the courtroom speeches, it almost sounds like Redford himself is talking. I think the directorial influence on the leading actor is rather cute, and it's easy to imagine that had this movie been made thirty years earlier, the defense lawyer would probably have been blond.The Conspirator has beautiful, realistic set and costume design, and the men in the cast—McAvoy, Kevin Kline, Tom Wilkinson, and Colm Meaney—seem authentic in their surroundings. My biggest complaint about the film are the ladies. Neither Robin Wright, nor Evan Rachel Wood, and especially not Alexis Bledel, seem like they belonged in the 1860s. Trying to ignore Bledel's contemporary face and voice is impossible, but thankfully she has a very tiny part. Wood also feels very contemporary, the way she moves and the patter of her speech. And even though Wright has a plain face and doesn't sound like a California valley girl, she still seems contemporary. Women were treated differently back then, and a woman her age would have a completely different aura from decades of living in the 1800s. Wright feels like an independent woman who has never been mistreated or disrespected.That criticism aside, if you like that era of history, this is a very good movie to watch. Robert Redford is an excellent director, and it's very fun to see McAvoy project his essence in the lead role.

To duly appreciate this movie maybe you must forget that the Southern cause during the Civil War in USA was a bad one because furthermore to the rest, it defended slavery and racism which means you must avoid any sympathy for it. Putting this aside we must admit this is a very good film which tells the real story of the trial of a southern woman charged with conspiracy to murder President Lincoln and who always declared herself innocent. The trial, conducted by army officers was an apishness of justice with total violation of the defendant's rights, subtracting her to a trial at a civil court to begin with and that she was entitled to. The offense of her right to defend herself is constant and it includes manoeuvres to favour the accusation some of them carried out by the prosecution itself. The movie respects faithfully the historical truth of this real case and all the performances by actors and actresses are superb, by "goodies" and "badies" as well with particular notability to James McAvoy as Frederick Aiken, the defence lawyer and Robin Wright as Mary Surratt the defendant. All the scenes are very realistic in terms of interior and exterior sceneries, characters' dressing and personal behaviour all according to the movie's epoch. A movie worth to be seen indeed.

Not entirely historically accurate-- but what historical movie is, anyway? It sets out to tell the overall arc of a historical event, and it does it effectively, with great acting and an effective score.The portrayal of certain events leaves the viewer with a sense of trepidation, which is brutally effective. For example, the portrayal of the assassination of Lincoln had me in anxious anticipation of what was to come, even though I knew already.It makes for good commentary on how a senseless thirst for revenge, as well as assumptions and predetermined verdicts can undermine the law. This historical event is still relevant today, and will be for as long as we allow bias and misplaced needs for revenge when judging persons of a crime; and it's portrayed quite well in the movie.That said, the movie does stretch the truth quite a bit, with regard to how the event actually happened and how the historical figures were portrayed. It's portrayed as far more black and white in terms of morality than it actually was. However, it still gets its message across and conveys the story decently. It's certainly worth seeing if one has an interest in history.

The Conspirator is set just after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, when the Civil war was coming to an end. Even thought the main plot is a court case, it captivates the viewer's interest. Throughout the movie you grow to like the main characters, Mary Surratt and Frederick Aiken, more and more and you want them to win their case. I found this historical and emotional movie to be intriguing because it gave me a new perspective on history. Most of us were taught in school how President Lincoln was assassinated, however we are not usually taught to much detail about what happened after the fact. Even though The Conspirator may not be historically accurate in some scenes, it does portray how the government was corrupt in the court of law. Also, I found the plot twist at the end unpredictable, but I do not recommend this movie to one who enjoys happy endings. I hope this review helps and enjoy your movie.