April 14, 1865 marked three assassination attempts. Of course, there was the successful attempt on President Lincoln along with failed attempts on the Vice-President and Secretary of State. Captured along with the plotters and executors of the plan was Mary Surratt (Robin Wright). She ran a boarding house used by several of the conspirators to plan the evening's treachery. One of the conspirators was Surratt's son, Johnny, who promptly fled to Canada days ahead of the attempts. Mary Surratt was left with egg on her face for hosting the planning sessions; and was quickly charged with conspiracy.
Enter Fred Aikens (James McAvoy). Aikens was responsible for defending Surratt in a military trial containing a jury of Union Generals. This was not an easy task for a Captain in the Union Army. As the proceedings evolved, however, Aikens realizes the incredibly unfair nature of the trial and the certain innocence of his client. Not that Surratt was completely innocent, mind you. It becomes apparent to audience and Aikens alike that she knew something was about to be rotten in the DC of Washington after Lee's surrender. The exact nature of what's amiss, is uncertain. However, it emerges most likely that Surratt should be cleared of conspiracy charges and yadayadayada we watch as a dark cloud grows darker and darker while covering post Civil War US Government.
It's good. Very good. I'll go with 4.5 Stars here. It's a gripping story that will hold your attention throughout the 123 minutes. McAvoy is great...playing the loyal Union soldier and emerging attorney who comes to grip with the gross injustices aimed at a presumably innocent woman in a grossly unfair trial. Actually, it's one of those events that makes you want to shake your red,white and blue head and migrate to Canada. The story is told in a highly effective way by none other than the legendary Robert Redford. Not too many flashbacks to lose the audience, just strategically placed scenes that guide the viewer through the story. The script was built largely on transcripts of the trials, so we can assume the 'Hollywood' influence, while certainly prevalent, was not necessarily prominent in terms of impacting the overall storyline.
All in all--if you're a history buff (as were the friends that accompanied me), then you'll love it! If history is not your thing, you should probably skip this one altogether. Me? I thoroughly enjoyed it. It makes you think and truly stays with you after the fact. It was the staple of conversation for our little group well into the night at SteakNShake following the flick.
Well...it's nearly 2AM so True is OUT!
I agree with your account of the movie! It was probably one of the most intense historical accounts that I've seen on the big screen. Like you and your friends, my wife and I discussed the account over dinner and were still talking about it as we fell asleep that night. I would give this one five stars and nominate the actor who played Aikens for an academy award.
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