The Conspirator

[ScriptGal]

Just saw this for the first time on Netflix. I was sooooooo disappointed. I love period / historical dramas (and am writing one) but this was such a snooze. I really feel it was the fault of the script. There may be a movie in the events of the Surratt boarding house where John Wilkes Booth plotted to (apparently) first kidnap, then kill Lincoln, but this wasn't it.

I'm trying to figure out what went so horribly wrong. I suspect the answer is the story of Mary Surratt's trial, no matter how it was handled, is not dramatic enough to be a movie. She was on the periphery of a national tragedy, this movie feels like it's on the periphery of a dramatic story worth telling.

Did anyone else see it?

[Fortean]

The Conspirator

Exactly.

A well-crafted film, but its focus was upon a woman whose role in the multiple assassination attempts was a minor one, (if she had any real part in the conspiracy). Apart from the travesty of justice that resulted in her execution, what did the story reveal about Mary Surratt as THE CONSPIRATOR?

[JoJo]

Re: The Conspirator

Saw it... it you listen to it with Redford's commentary turned on there are some incredibly insights about Hollywood, and society in general. You get what motivated Redford to make this movie. It was more about him wanting to make a statement than "entertain."

But yes, I was a disappointed. I think a lot of it had to do with Robin Wright being typed up and so limited in her actions - not a very dramatic role.

[60WordsPerHour]

Re: The Conspirator

I found it workmanlike and overly earnest.

I also don't find James McAvoy very compelling. For me, he's got that Orlando Bloom tepidness. YMMV, though.

I remember a telemovie in and around the topic called The Ordeal of Doctor Mudd which was pretty good -- but I haven't seen it for a long time.