 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Conspirator
- Review Date: April 12, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Historical drama tells compelling tale; some violence.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Robert Redford-directed historical drama centers on the assassination of President Lincoln and its aftermath -- specifically, the real-life trial of Mary Surratt, who was accused of being part of the plot. Playing out largely as a courtroom drama, the movie uses history to explore the conflict between justice and politics and offers plenty to talk and think about. There’s some violence (including blood from fatal wounds, a vicious knife attack, and the frank depiction of a hanging), drinking, and smoking, as well as mild, period-accurate swearing ("s--t," "damned," etc.).
What's the story?
That Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) is a patriot is no great mystery. A decorated Civil War hero, he was the type of man who stepped up to the proverbial plate time and again. But even he can’t escape unscathed from his next mission: Defend the sole female accused in the murder of president Abraham Lincoln, Mary Surratt (Robin Wright). She ran the boarding house where John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators met, but exactly how much did she know? Is she as innocent as she claims? As Surratt’s appointed defense counsel, Aiken feels he has no choice but to perform the job to the best of his duties, even if it earns him the scorn of fellow citizens still reeling from the assassination of the commander-in-chief. But ultimately Mary's case leads him to question his own prejudices, too.
Is it any good?
Although it was directed by film icon Robert Redford -- THE CONSPIRATOR belongs to McAvoy. He convincingly inhabits the role of Aiken, a war hero given the thankless task of defending the woman charged with plotting Lincoln's assassination, portraying him as both determined and ambivalent, sometimes at the same exact time. Always subtle in her portrayals, Wright makes Surratt approachable and, in turn, sympathetic. (And, also frustrating -- why wouldn’t she cooperate with the authorities?) But Wright’s depiction is cold, and we don’t ever quite forget that this is an actress playing Surratt.
But the film’s biggest flaw isn’t the acting, costumes, or lighting. It’s that it's curiously slack for a being a courtroom thriller. That the facts of the case have long been known may have somewhat hobbled the momentum -- we know how this story ends, after all. But that’s no excuse for predictable storytelling and scenes lit so brightly you wonder whether the camera broke at some point, leading to overexposure. That said, The Conspirator is still engrossing -- and moving. It's fascinating to be able to see how events unfolded that fateful night.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Mary Surratt’s case. Do you think she was guilty? Do you think she received a fair trial and a just sentence?
How closely do you think this film adheres to history? How many liberties with the facts do you think such a film can take? Why might filmmakers decide to do that?
What are the movie's messages? What does it say about the American justice system? Do you think anything similar could happen today?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
This movie is so good for telling us (and kids from middle school through college) about an unknown, important story within one of the most important events in American history.
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AGE
The Conspirator is well cast and tells a worthy story, but I lack the patience for Redford's deliberate, stagebound approach.
Too much violence for kids under 12.
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AGE
a really good way to introduce abe lincolns death
The good stuff
*
Messages:
The movie's ultimate message is that honor, justice, and the American Constitution should always trump political expediency. Also, no matter how challenging a task might seem, you must rise up to it and have the courage of your own convictions.
*
Role models:
Frederick is a principled man. No matter the repercussions of representing an accused criminal, he defends her anyway -- and eventually becomes passionate about securing justice for her. Other characters aren't always what they first seem; those who theoretically should be acting for the greater good don't always do so, while those who might seem to be less upstanding have surprising strength and purpose.
What to watch out for
*
Violence:
Lincoln's assassination is shown in a harrowing sequence that unfolds in surprising detail. Blood is shown, but the actual wounds aren't. A connected attack is quite vicious -- a man stabs another who's lying helpless in bed, knifing him several times. A hanging takes place in front of a crowd; it, too, plays out with agonizing specificity. Soldiers carry and use guns. A young woman is threatened; rocks are thrown through her window.
*
Sex:
A couple kisses; some flirting.
*
Language:
Infrequent use of words like “damned” and “hell."
*
Consumerism:
Not an issue.
*
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Some social drinking. A few characters use alcohol as "liquid courage" and take shots to fortify themselves before difficult tasks.
Very strong.
*
Consumerism:
Not an issue.
*
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Cigarettes and alcohol.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 28, 2011
AGE
Good movie but not for kids 11 and under!!!!!!!!
It was really good but the hanging scene is not apropite oh and the scene when a guy comes in a room running jumps on a bed and kills and old man and a man with a knife stabs repeatedly! So watch out 11 year olds!!!!!
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AGE
A valuable film.
This is a very interesting and valuable movie. It gives you much to think about after watching it (in a good way). My family and I really enjoyed it! The acting was superb, as well as the script. There really isn't much bad content; just some slight violence (nothing a tween can't handle though). I definitely recommend it!
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AGE
A bit dull at parts, but still enjoyable
I found myself getting bored through parts of the movie. The most interesting parts for me were the court sessions and probably the last thirty or forty-five minutes. A depiction of Abraham Lincoln's death and stabbing of a man (a secretary of something or other), as well as the hanging of four individuals (whose heads are covered for the hanging, so you don't see their being strangled and choked to death), may be disturbing for younger individuals, but other than that, it's a fairly clean movie. Some cursing and drinking lined in there, but not really anything else. I think it gives shows that things we trust (the judges of a court, government officials, etc.) can be dishonest, and biased (referring to the court case), and that you should stand until the end for something you believe in. Well-cast and, though dull at times, I still managed to enjoy it.
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AGE
snore
this film was so boring, i fell asleep into the first minute. it has no action, a pointless story, and overall pathetic
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| Studio: | Roadside Attractions |
| Director: | Robert Redford |
| Cast: | James McAvoy, Kevin Kline, Robin Wright Penn |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 123 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 15, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | August 16, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some violent content |
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