The Conspirator Trailer: James McAvoy and Robin Wright Star in Robert Redford's Cinematic Ambien

Remember that two-year period when James McAvoy was a sexy up-and-coming actor capable of carrying great films like The Last King of Scotland and Atonement? Apparently the Scot took time off from such award-worthy projects to star in Penelope and Robert Redford's The Conspirator, a historical drama about the only female co-conspirator charged in the Abraham Lincoln assassination (played by a haggard-looking Robin Wright). The trailer for the latter was released today, and judging from those two minutes, The Conspirator will play out like a lesser History Channel movie and put you to sleep like a box full of Benadryl. Although there is one exciting moment, courtesy of a very unlikely actor.

LongTheConspirator225.jpgAnd that actor is Justin Long, who somehow scored the most unlikely role of his career yet: an INJURED CIVIL WAR VETERAN. Who wears a bow tie. (Pictured right). Seriously, if there is one thing that will take you out of this otherwise glum-looking trailer, it is Justin Long looking glum in a bow tie, while his friend Fredrick Aiken (McAvoy) defends Wright's title character in the courtroom scene depicted below.

But don't take my advice (and not see this movie) or the implicit advice of the extra who fell asleep next to Long during the filming of his scene (pictured above). Take the advice of Movieline's own Michelle Orange who already reviewed the film at last year's Toronto Film Festival and confirmed our suspicions: The Conspirator is so dry that "something large and violently caffeinated" is needed to keep from dozing off the way you did in American History class.

VERDICT: Unless Robert Redford re-edits the entire film so that it centers on Civil War-era Justin Long and his red bow tie, no thanks.



Comments

  • scriptgrrl says:

    But that was Glee cutie Jonathan Groff on the witness stand! Maybe he'll sing a jaunty Broadway tune!

  • Findley says:

    McAvoy made Penelope *before* Atonement, and Wanted and The Last Station after it--plus an Olivier Award-nominated performance in the West End drama Three Days of Rain. So much for your theory. This trailer looks great--looking forward to another outstanding performance by McAvoy.

  • stanlight says:

    That's no extra, that sleeper is James Badge Dale!

  • noreaster says:

    Trailer looks great! I'm a closet history fan but this also looks like a pretty kick *ss film. nice to see Redford still bringing it. and that's a hell of a cast. hope it plays in more than ny and la.

  • imahrtbrkbeat says:

    I, too, recognized him in the photo. Glad to see him getting some work behind him, especially with the demise of Rubicon.

  • Joan says:

    The trailer looks terrific! With a cast of superb actors and a truly great director, it promises to be a magnificent film. Can't wait tosee it!

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