A new feature film by Aaron Sorkin.
Aaron Sorkin has long been one of the greatest screenwriters in Hollywood, specialising in dialogue-heavy, witty dramas. The Trial of the Chicago 7 is only his second feature film as a director (after Molly's Game), but is a well-crafted film which is impactful, and which could not be more important to be seen by wide audiences now. Here's why.
The anti-Vietnam demonstrations in Chicago in 1968 during the DNC were important for many groups. Several students associations and anti-war movements decided to protest, so that the mass ofprotesters grew to a critical number. The situation between protestors and police was tense in several situations, and it got out of hand. The reasons for that were manifold, but after the clashes, eight men were indicted with having incited riots.
The trial, that unfolded into 1969, became a media spectacle and gripped the nation. Director and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin focuses on this part of the story, making it essentially a courtroom drama. The eight men indicted and tried all have varied backgrounds, and receive different treatments by the legal system. Especially the judge is clearly biased, and the accused and their lawyers have to find a way to overcome some obstacles and some conflicting evidence.
Personally, I am sold on a courtroom drama by Sorkin anyway, but there are many other reasons why audiences should watch it. The first important reasons are the uncanny parallels to today's America. How police are dealing with peaceful, unarmed protestors has become a current debate, as well as how white and black citizens are treated differently by the police and the law. Many moments in the film ring very true because of these parallels, which will make the events of the Chicago riots and trial easier to relate to for younger audiences.
Such a historical story with many well-documented figures needs a great cast, and Sorkin has definitely managed to get that together. Among the accused are Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong and Yahya Abdul Mateen II, with Mark Rylance and Joseph Gordon-Levitt among the lawyers and Frank Langhella, John Doman and Michael Keaton in further roles (making it a cast including 3 Oscar winners). While Redmayne, Rylance and Keaton are all amazing with some great moments, Sacha Baron Cohen steals the show in this ensemble, not only with humour but also with some serious moments. Overall, the performances are great and will puzzle award shows whom to give more accolades.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 is being shown in cinemas now, and is certainly worth watching on the big screen (I watched it at the cinema when it came out). It is also, however, available on Netflix from this week on, which might make it more easily accessible to many. Highly recommended for all audiences.
