Stirring it may be as justice fights law, the little man fights the State behemoth, but what’s staggering about a wholly engaging The Trial of the Chicago 7 is that, aside from a little tweaking from writer/director Aaron Sorkin, so much of it is closely linked to to the truth.
Chicago 1968. The Democratic Convention in the lead up to the elections that sees Richard Nixon elected as President. But it’s a country in strife – Martin Luther King had been assassinated only months earlier, more and more American youth are being drafted into the unpopular Vietnam War. It’s a tinderbox. 10,000 protestors, 12,000 police clashed. Months later, seven men mostly unconnected prior to the demonstrations are charged with inciting the riots.
It’s a court case to end court cases – an unquestionably biased judge (Frank Langella) that saw the defence lawyers and their clients collectively convicted of more than 150 counts of contempt. An overtly political prosecution as the new Attorney General looked to wield power. Two hippy defendents who commentated out aloud throughout the months of the trial. A Black Panther member denied legal representation. And so much more.
Sorkin’s dialogue soars, his wry humour is ever present and there’s a cast to die for (Langella, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Michael Keaton, a standout Sacha Baron Cohen to name but a few). That The Trial of the Chicago 7 doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of a classic is more to do with it’s formulaic structure, sketchy characterisation of less central figures and obvious emotive manipulation. But that doesn’t prevent it being an enjoyable and, at times, even fun two hours.
Nominated for 6 Oscars in 2021 including best film, supporting actor – Baron Cohen – and original screenplay).
Rating: 72%
Director: Aaron Sorkin (Molly’s Game)
Writer: Aaron Sorkin (Molly’s Game, The Social Network)
Main cast: Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything, The Aeronauts), Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon, Captain Fantastic), Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, The Dictator)
An Opinion or Two 