2019's Above Suspicion Recounts the Tragic Murder of Susan Smith by FBI Agent Mark Putnam
Starring Emilia Clarke and Jack Huston, the film explores the professional and personal relationship between Smith and Putnam that eventually led to tragedy
Plot Overview
"Above Suspicion," directed by Phillip Noyce, is a crime thriller based on the true story of Susan Daniels Smith and FBI agent Mark Putnam.
The film begins with Mark Putnam, played by Jack Huston, being assigned to a small Kentucky town in 1987. He is there to investigate a bank robbery and soon meets Susan Smith, portrayed by Emilia Clarke.
Susan is struggling with poverty and a troubled past, but she sees a chance for a better life when she becomes Mark's informant. As they work together, their professional relationship turns into a forbidden affair.
Susan falls deeply for Mark, hoping he will be her ticket out of her harsh life. Their relationship takes a deadly turn in 1989 when Susan claims to be pregnant with Mark's child.
Desperate and scared, Mark tries to distance himself, but a heated argument leads to a life-altering moment of rage.
Susan Daniels Smith
Susan Daniels Smith was born in 1961 in Matewan, West Virginia. Her early life was tough. Her family struggled financially, and they moved to Freeburn, Kentucky when Susan was still a child.
Because of these hardships, Susan dropped out of school in the 7th grade. By the time she was fifteen, Susan was dating Kenneth Smith, a twenty-two-year-old drug dealer.
They got married in the late 1970s and had two children together. However, their marriage was marred by drug abuse and constant trouble with the law, leading to their eventual divorce.
Relationship with FBI Agent Mark Putnam
In the spring of 1987, Susan's life took a dramatic turn when she met FBI agent Mark Putnam. Mark had been assigned to Pikeville, Kentucky, to investigate a bank robbery involving a criminal named Carl Edward "Cat Eyes" Lockhart.
During Putnam’s investigation, Susan became an informant for Mark, providing crucial information that eventually helped the FBI catch Lockhart by the end of 1987. For her help, Susan received a significant monetary reward, which gave her a brief respite from her financial woes.
The pair’s professional relationship soon turned personal. By 1988, after Lockhart was arrested, Susan and Mark started an affair. Susan, who was living with an abusive boyfriend, saw Mark, who was married with children as a way out of her troubled life and became emotionally attached to him.
On the other hand, Mark was torn between his professional duties and his illicit relationship with Susan. The affair took a dark turn in 1989. Mark had been transferred to Florida but returned to Kentucky briefly for another investigation.
Murder of Susan Smith
On June 8, 1989, Susan met Mark and told him she was pregnant, claiming the baby was his. She asked for financial support, leading to a heated argument. In a fit of rage, Mark strangled Susan to death. He put her body in the trunk of his rental car and disposed of it along an old coal mining road.
Three days later, Susan's sister reported her missing. A year went by before Mark, consumed by guilt and the pressure of the investigation confessed to the murder.
He pleaded guilty in court and was sentenced to sixteen years in prison. However, he served only ten years due to good behavior and was released early.
The case became infamous as the first known instance of an FBI agent committing homicide. This tragic and scandalous story is the foundation for the film "Above Suspicion," which attempts to bring the haunting reality of Susan Daniels Smith's life and death to the screen.
Film Adaptation
The true story of Susan Daniels Smith's murder by FBI agent Mark Putnam reveals a scandalous love affair that turned deadly, captivating both the public and filmmakers. Susan Daniels Smith, a woman ensnared by poverty and criminal activities, saw a glimmer of hope when she became an informant for Mark Putnam, an ambitious FBI agent assigned to Pikeville, Kentucky.
Main Characters:
Susan Smith (Emilia Clarke), is a woman trapped in a cycle of poverty and crime who becomes an FBI informant, hoping for a better future. Her vulnerability and determination are central to the story.
Mark Putnam (Jack Huston), was the ambitious FBI agent who got involved in a dangerous affair with his informant. His inner conflict and ultimate crime drive the plot.
Sophie Lowe, Plays a key supporting character, adding depth to the small-town setting and Susan's world.
Johnny Knoxville Surprisingly takes on a serious role, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Artistic License and Narrative Choice
The film takes several liberties to make the story more engaging and dramatic. For legal reasons and creative decisions, the film changes some of the real names:
Kenneth Smith, Susan’s ex-husband, is renamed Cash.
Carl Edward “Cat Eyes” Lockhart, the criminal involved in the bank robbery, becomes Joe-Bea.
While these changes help the filmmakers avoid legal issues and create a more streamlined narrative, they also tend to detract from the authenticity of the story.
In terms of Fabricated Events. The movie includes several events that did not happen in real life to add tension and drama.
In the movie, a dramatic scene involving a shooting with Susan’s brother, “Bones,” is entirely fictional. This event adds tension but deviates from the true story.
Likewise, characters like Randy McCoy are introduced to create additional narrative depth and conflict. While it adds to the story, he is not based on any real person involved in Susan's life.
One of the significant artistic choices in the film is the narrative perspective. The movie uses Susan's voice from beyond the grave to tell her story. This approach adds emotional weight and allows viewers to connect more deeply with her character.
In contrast, Joe Sharkey’s book Above Suspicion primarily presents the story from Mark Putnam’s point of view, offering a more detached and investigative perspective. This narrative choice makes her plight more personal and poignant, even though it is a departure from the book’s factual recounting of events.
These artistic choices, while enhancing the film’s drama and emotional impact, sometimes come at the expense of factual accuracy. The balance between staying true to real events and creating a compelling cinematic experience is delicate, and "Above Suspicion" navigates this balance with varying degrees of success.
By streamlining the story, "Above Suspicion" prioritizes emotional impact and narrative clarity over a more nuanced portrayal of all real-life events and theories. This decision makes the film more accessible and engaging for viewers, even when it sacrifices some factual details.
Challenges of Portraying Real Events in Film
One of the primary ethical challenges in making a film based on a true story is finding the right balance between entertainment and factual accuracy.
Filmmakers need to create a compelling story that keeps viewers engaged while also respecting the truth of what happened. In "Above Suspicion," certain aspects were dramatized or fabricated to enhance the narrative, such as the fictional shooting involving Susan's brother "Bones" and the creation of characters like Randy McCoy.
Artistic license in films like "Above Suspicion" can have a significant impact on how the story is perceived and remembered.
Audiences might walk away with a skewed version of events, believing the fictionalized elements to be true. This can affect the legacy and reputation of the real individuals involved and the public's understanding of the case.
While these changes make for a more exciting film, they can also distort the audience's perception of the real events. It's a delicate balance—too much fiction can undermine the credibility of the story while sticking too closely to the facts can sometimes result in a less dramatic and engaging film.
Facts and Trivia
"Above Suspicion" is based on Joe Sharkey’s 1994 book of the same name, which provides a detailed account of the events leading up to and following Susan Daniels Smith’s murder.
The book offers an in-depth look at both Susan and Mark Putnam, delving into their backgrounds, motivations, and the tragic outcome of their relationship.
Additionally, the case was explored in Aphrodite Jones’ book "FBI Killer," and featured in the Investigation Discovery series "Betrayed."
Phillip Noyce, known for directing thrillers like "Salt" and "The Bone Collector," brought his expertise to "Above Suspicion." Noyce aimed to create a film that was both true to the spirit of the real events and engaging for the audience. His direction focused on the emotional and psychological aspects of the story, emphasizing the human elements over sensationalism.
Johnny Knoxville, famous for his comedic stunts in "Jackass," surprised many with his serious role in "Above Suspicion." Knoxville plays Susan’s brother, a character integral to understanding her family dynamics and background. This role marked a significant departure from his usual comedic persona, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Reviews and Legacy
The film received “mixed or average” reviews. However, despite the mixed reviews, the film made a significant emotional impact on viewers.
Clarke’s performance resonated with many, bringing Susan’s tragic story to a new audience and highlighting the vulnerabilities and struggles of those caught in cycles of poverty and crime.
The movie sheds light on the human cost of such tragedies, prompting discussions about justice and morality.
"Above Suspicion" adds to the growing list of true crime adaptations in film and television. It highlights the challenges and responsibilities of telling real-life stories while balancing the need for drama with factual accuracy.
The film continues to spark interest in the true crime genre, encouraging audiences to explore the real stories behind the headlines.
Closing Thoughts
In summary, "Above Suspicion" is more than just a film about a tragic crime; it’s a window into the lives of the people involved, their struggles, and the moral complexities of their actions.
Through strong performances, particularly by Emilia Clarke, and the careful direction of Phillip Noyce, the movie brings a haunting true story to the screen, reminding viewers of the human elements behind the headlines.
Sources:
“Murder of Susan Smith.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 February 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Susan_Smith.
Wurtz, Gina. “Above Suspicion True Story: 5 Biggest Changes in the Emilia Clarke Movie.” ScreenRant, 5 May 2023, screenrant.com/above-suspicion-true-story-emilia-clarke-movie/.
Handore, Pratik. “Is above Suspicion Based on a True Story?” The Cinemaholic, 24 April 2023, thecinemaholic.com/is-above-suspicion-a-true-story/#:~:text=Yes%2C ‘Above Suspicion’ is based on a true,on the real-life 1989 murder of Susan Smith.