The Conspirator - 2010

American Film Company, The, Wildwood Enterprises

Directed by Robert Redford

Cast:

• Frederick Aiken – James McAvoy
• Mary Surratt – Robin Wright
• Edwin Stanton – Kevin Kline
• Anna Surratt – Evan Rachel Wood
• Reverdy Johnson – Tom Wilkinson
• Nicholas Baker – Justin Long
• Joseph Holt – Danny Huston
• William Hamilton – James Badge Dale
• David Hunter – Colm Meany
• Sarah Weston – Alexis Bledel
• John Surratt – Johnny Simmons

Story: In the wake of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, seven men and one woman are arrested and charged with conspiring to kill the President, the Vice-President, and the Secretary of State. The lone woman charged, Mary Surratt, 42, owns a boarding house where John Wilkes Booth and others met and planned the simultaneous attacks. Against the ominous back-drop of post-Civil War Washington, newly-minted lawyer, Frederick Aiken, a 28-year-old Union war-hero, reluctantly agrees to defend Surratt before a military tribunal, even though she and the other accused are civilians. As the trial unfolds, Aiken realizes his client may be innocent and that she is being used as bait and hostage in order to capture the only conspirator to have escaped a massive manhunt, her own son. During the course of the trial, it becomes obvious this is a kangaroo court where the defendants will be found guilty.

Review: Produced by the American Film Company to be an accurate accounting of this historical event, there is little doubt that any fan of history will find this film compelling. This is not merely a telling of events, but a revealing look at the ability of those in power to bend the law to their will, and an indictment of the government in general. While there are some inaccuracies in the film according to historical records, the events are basically told in a straightforward and truthful fashion. James McAvoy becomes the pawn that is sacrificed during the trial, a decorated war veteran with a law degree who has no experience at law. McAvoy delivers a plausible and believable performance, as does Robin Wright as Mary Surratt, the woman who may or may not actually be guilty. Kevin Kline and Tom Wilkinson bring their formidable talents to the screen as the Secretary of War and the Senator from Maryland who is charged with Surratt's defense. While it may seem at first the appointment to defend Mary Surratt is an honor, it becomes apparent it will destroy Aiken (McAvoy's character), who at length becomes the first editor of the Washington Post. Rated PG-13 for some violent content, this is a compelling drama which should be included in the American history portion of any high school curriculum. Collectible for history buffs and fans of Redford.

Mission Impossible; Ghost Protocol - 2011

Paramount Pictures, Skydance Productions, Bad Robot

Directed by Brad Bird

Cast:

• Ethan Hunt – Tom Cruise
• Jane Carter – Paula Patton
• Benji Dunn – Simon Pegg
• William Brandt – Jeremy Renner
• Kurt Hendricks – Michael Nyqvist
• Anatoly Sidorov – Vladimir Mashkov
• The Secretary – Tom Wilkinson

Story: Ethan Hunt is caught up in another mystery as he and his inexperienced IMF team is set up to take the fall for a massive explosion at the Kremlin. A rogue Russian physicist has concluded a nuclear war will save the planet and should happen so that only the fittest survive. He has anticipated the involvement of the super secret IMF,and as they are burglarizing the Kremlin in an attempt to safeguard the launch codes for their nuclear arsenal, they are set up to take the fall while the lunatic scientist escapes with the codes. The team travels to Dubai, where they must assault the building servers at the 130th floor, and ultimately to Mumbai, where they must prevent the detonation of a nuclear device on San Francisco.

Review: More of the same...with less. Don't get me wrong, I was a big fan of the television series, even the more sedate episodes where the team had to get in and out without ever being detected. And when Tom started the series with an excellent cast and a seriously good plot, I applauded the return to the adventures of the IMF. But this film lacks the power and the potency of it's three predecessors. While Cruise recaptures the role of Ethan Hunt well, his supporting team acts as if they have no clue as to what's happening. While I think the director was trying to inject a bit of humor in the incessant babblying of Simon Pegg, the false modesty of Paula Patton, and the hesitantcy of Jeremy Renner, these attempts fail miserably, and we are left with a Keystone Kops version of what should be a very dramatic and exciting film. The special effects and stunts are impressive, but that is a combination of money and technology, and with the backers for this film, I doubt either was in short supply. I am sure they were counting on the appeal of the franchise to carry this one to the box office hits column, and they were right. However, if this writing and acting are any indication of the future of this series, I think we would be better off with a remake of Space 1999. Rated PG 13 for the violence and language, rent it if you must, add it to your collection if you have the other three, I suppose. It will not be in mine.

Michael Clayton - 2007

Samuels Media, Castle Rock Entertainment, Mirage Films

Written and Directed by Tony Gilroy

Cast:

• Micheal Clayton – George Clooney
• Arthur Edens – Tom Wilkinson
• Marty Bach – Sydney Pollack
• Barry Grissom – Micheal O'Keefe
• Karen Crowder – Tilda Swinton
• Gene Clayton – Sean Cullen

Story: Behind the scenes, Micheal Clayton is damage control for a large, prestigious law firm. He is the “fixer”, the guy they send to clean up a mess when their clients screw up. Only this time, it isn't a client. Arthur Edens is one of the top attorneys of the firm, and he suddenly goes nuts in a deposition, tearing off his clothes and proclaiming his love for one of the plaintiff's, a young girl from an upstate claim against a corporation for violating pollution laws and causing cancer through their negligence. Years of suppressing documents and winning for the sake of winning have taken their toll on Arthur, and he is about to release damning evidence against his own client. Clayton has his own problems as well, and his entire life is hanging on the edge. He is the man balancing six plates on the ends of brooms in the sideshow, and he is about to lose control of them all. He is trying to keep Arthur under control when Arthur suddenly dies of a heart attack...or was it? The world of corporate dealings, legal footwork, and back room deals is explored and revealed in this fascinating film.

Review: What makes this film so interesting is that it hits so close to the mark. You go out wondering if you should check your portfolio to see if you own shares of Unorth. Clooney, Wilkinson, Swinton, O'Keefe, and Pollack are the perfect people to play the roles, and the way the film begins is an exceptional tool to keep you nailed to the drama. There is an economy of scenes, nothing wasted, nothing there that should not be, and the suspense builds as surprisingly as a symphony by Brahms or Mozart. Granted, a writer should be able to direct his own story, but Gilroy displays an amazing lack of dictatorial persuasion and the actors become the roles. You leave with a satisfaction and a promise that all has been set right, and Michael Clayton will live to fight another day. Definitely not for the children, too much harsh language. If you are a fan of legal drama and suspense, this one belongs in your collection.