Johnny Simmons

The Conspirator: directed by Robert Redford; written by James D. Solomon
 
I couldn’t possibly write anything on Robert Redford period/political drama without pointing the way to Tim’s review which says everything I could possibly say with much more alacrity. So, in a way, this review suffices as something of a footnote because even though I’ve got nothing particularly new to the table I’d feel bad devoting nary a word to the film. The first I heard about The Conspirator was a post that RC of Strange Culture did before it was released, and there’s no doubt that American History is mellifluous enough to precipitate dozens of interesting tales about the Civil War era and whatnot. There is an interesting story to be told in The Conspirator, but there’s a devastatingly trite way in which it is told.

Court-room dramas are in many ways a dime a dozen on film, and even less on television but The Conspirator has a strident hook, and I’m not just talking about the fact that it’s based on a true story. The imprudence with which the trial against Mary Surratt unfolds is a fine example of the lesser aspects of the human race but Solomon’s script approaches the issue with a stifling lack of zest. The technical aspects of the film are done with the right amount of gloom necessary for the proceeding but the script itself peters between unwarranted sagacity and occasional hectoring. And Redford is the kind of director who’s obviously interested in making a “statement” so there’s a fighting tendency for his directing to encourage the script’s occasionally heavy handed nature.
              
But, the cast subverts that nature. I feel a bit annoyed with Redford that he has such a brilliant cast and fails to give them impeccable work. But, looking at the film you wouldn’t know it, well not really. It’s a good ensemble and the actors are all willing to put in credible work. I was looking forward to The Conspirator because of Robin Wright. She made my list of nominees in 2009 for her work The Private Lives of Pippa Lee a film she held down with her luminescence. She doesn’t get to do quite as much here because as much as the film is named after her titular character Solomon’s narrative seems more interested in James McAvoy Aiken, the war hero turned lawyer. And, McAvoy is fine – as is the entire cast – but it’s such a shame that Wright in particular is forced to play her role in a single register (excellently, but still). The film’s female cast – made of Wright, Evan Rachel Wood (impressive in a role that’s too small) and Alexis Bledel in a surprisingly poignant turn. Even though Wright is the de facto lead Redford is intent to leave her for the men of the narrative, sometimes to the disservice of the film. It’s a true shame that Wood and Wright never get a proper scene together.
I can’t berate Redford for trying to make a statement with his own film, but the unfortunate thing is - The Conspirator is not the type of film where entertainment needs to be sacrificed for edification. There’s enough material for his “message” to hit home. It probably won’t be remembered as the end of the year as anything seminal, and it’s not really seminal in fact but even though the film itself is imperfect it’s home for a talented cast and some fine technical work. It’s strange, the film is about the woman behind it all but it’s really about men...too many men.
       
C+

I'm a sucker for Scorsese, so I love this post that Paolo did on The Last Temptation of Christ by default. Really, though, almost all of Scorsese's films beg you to analyse. I'm both surprised it got any Oscar love, and miffed that it only got one.
      
Stephanie lists her five favourite Sidney Lumet films. I'm still not sure what I'd pick as a favourite. And yet, even though Long Day's Journey Into Night is nowhere near my favourite it's always the film of his I remember first, and not even for Kate. I just think Dean Stockwell is phenomenal in it.

On the note of classics, though, Anna lists the best female classic performances, by her edict. Kate is on there - if she wasn't I wouldn't even have thought of linking this. I kid you not. (PS. Am I the only one who thinks Eva Marie Saint looks like a dead-ringer for Kristin Scott Thomas in that screenshot?)
                
And moving from the classics to the modern, Nicholas offers up a nice review of Kick-Ass. I say no more, it's a good one. I'm crossing fingers that Aaron Johnson comes off that great year last year to make a good career for himself.
            
The Mad Hatter is taking one for the team, watching truly horrendous films...or so he says. The thing is, I've seen only one on the list - so I can't be certain they're that awful, I've never even heard of them. Are they?
         
And to close, check out this fine retrospective of Redford's directing career that Yojimbo charted.