Imagine a woman, aged 45, taking aim at a president. This is the gripping tale of Sara Jane Moore, who, on a fateful day in 1975, fired two shots at President Gerald Ford in broad daylight. But here's the twist: she missed, not once but twice. And this is where the story of 'Suburban Fury' begins, a documentary that delves into the mind of a would-be assassin, offering a unique and controversial perspective on a bizarre chapter in American history.
The film, directed by Robinson Devor, premiered at the New York Film Festival in 2024, capturing the nation's attention. It focuses on Moore's life and the events leading up to the assassination attempt, painting a picture of a woman entangled in a web of political beliefs, personal history, and a distorted sense of purpose. But why did she do it? Was it a calculated act of political rebellion, or the delusions of a mind lost in conspiracy?
Devor's approach is intriguing. He confines us to Moore's claustrophobic perspective, using creative filming techniques to evoke her paranoia. The narrative structure is circular, mirroring the convoluted nature of Moore's thinking. We learn that she was allegedly born into wealth, but her claims are disputed. She became involved in Bay Area politics after Patty Hearst's kidnapping, and later claimed to have been approached by the FBI to infiltrate radical groups, including the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA).
The film introduces us to Bertram Worthington, Moore's FBI handler, who remains an enigmatic figure. Through voiceovers, Devor attempts to clarify Moore's obscure biography, but her life remains a labyrinth. Archival footage provides a glimpse into the tumultuous political climate of 1975, with riots and protests setting the stage. And then, a startling revelation: Moore was one of only two women in a long line of would-be or actual presidential assassins.
The question of motivation is central. Most male assassins were driven by grandiose visions, like Charles Guiteau, who shot President James Garfield in 1881, as depicted in Netflix's 'Death by Lightning'. Guiteau's vague ambition to leave a mark on history is a stark contrast to Moore's calculated actions. She believed her identity as a 'white, middle-aged lady with curly hair' would shield her from suspicion. But why did she think she could get away with it?
The film highlights a crucial difference between Moore and her male counterparts: her political agenda. Unlike John Hinckley Jr., who was found not guilty by reason of insanity after shooting President Reagan, Moore pleaded guilty and sane. She had a clear purpose: to turn the state's violence against itself, either sparking a revolution or revealing one already underway. But is this the logic of a lucid mind or a conspiracy-addled one?
Devor's struggle to develop Moore as a character is evident. She resists engaging with differing perspectives, even during an interview with a CNN journalist. When asked about her life after prison, she rejects the idea of a 'new leaf', insisting on her own version of events. Moore's sanity, purpose, and subjectivity are central to her narrative, yet she remains an enigma, her biography obscured, her feelings unshared.
'Suburban Fury' leaves us with more questions than answers. Was Moore a rational political actor or a delusional conspiracist? Her attempt to explain herself only deepens the mystery. And this is the part most people miss: the line between sanity and conspiracy is often blurred in the minds of those who dare to take on the most powerful office in the land. What do you think? Is Moore a misunderstood revolutionary or a victim of her own distorted reality? The debate is open, and the controversy is compelling.
