THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7
2020 | Dir. Aaron Sorkin | 130 Minutes
"Give me a moment, would you, friend? I've never been on trial for my thoughts before."
Various civil rights activists who protested the Vietnam War at the 1968 Democratic National Convention held in Chicago are put on trial by the federal government, accused of conspiracy to incite riots. Though their specific motivations for attending the protest differ, the defendants must find common ground if they hope to win against the oppressive establishment that has no qualms about playing dirty.
Dramatizing the preposterously unjust titular trial, the latest film directed by Aaron Sorkin is a complete showcase of the acclaimed writer's strengths. The Trial of the Chicago 7 details the respective motivations of the accused protesters and the gross political corruption that infects the American criminal justice system. Effectively presenting how different civil rights activists often have varying agendas and tactics that may not precisely align, ranging from those participating in non-violent peaceful demonstration to those eager to respond to brutality with brutality, the narrative convincingly suggests that their lack of unity may be their greatest weakness while the system they challenge is not above manipulating the legal system to crush the constitutional right to dissent and the democracy it is meant to protect.
Fast-paced and thoroughly engrossing, The Trial of the Chicago 7 is greatly elevated by Sorkin's knack for crafting brilliant dialogue. To great dramatic effect, the picture quickly builds momentum as it cuts between the arduous legal proceedings and the events leading up to the protest and the violence that erupted during the protest itself. Orchestrated by a political administration holding a trivial grudge against its predecessor, the trial is depicted as a frustrating seemingly unwinnable uphill battle for the protestors, a gross miscarriage of justice presided over by a clearly biased and petty judge who doesn't even bother to remember the names of the defendants. The protest sequences are presented in visceral detail, both terrifying and exhilarating, as it gradually breaks out into utter chaos from flaring tensions and deliberate escalation perpetrated by confrontational law enforcement. Both story threads are satisfyingly resolved, perhaps a little too neatly but allowing the picture to deliver an appropriately cathartic conclusion.
While it may be one of his least flashy performances, Eddie Redmayne is reliably good the role of Tom Hayden. Sacha Baron Cohen stands out in his portrayal of Abbie Hoffman, turning in a solid dramatic performance without losing any of his inherent humor and charm despite putting on a dubious accent. Absolutely stealing the show, Jeremy Strong is particularly impressive, totally unrecognizable as Hoffman's fellow shaggy anti-establishment Yippe co-founder Jerry Rubin. As conscientious objector David Dellinger, versatile character actor John Carroll Lynch in gentle giant mode is a perfect fit for the role. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II delivers a commanding performance as the woefully mistreated eighth defendant, Black Panther Party chairman Bobby Seale. As underdog defense lawyer William Kunstler, Mark Rylance brings his signature brand of understated dignity to the role. Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes for a convincingly nuanced somewhat conflicted antagonist in his portrayal of federal prosecutor Richard Schultz. Conversely, Frank Langella plays Judge Julius Hoffman as a delightfully aggravating villain that's easy to hate. Among many other solid supporting players, the cast also features Kelvin Harrison Jr., Caitlin FitzGerald and Michael Keaton in brief attention-grabbing roles.
An electrifying courtroom drama that is as entertaining as it is timely, The Trial of the Chicago 7 ranks among Aaron Sorkin's very best work. Featuring a razor-sharp script and an expansive roster of fantastic actors, the picture emphatically promotes the importance of finding strength through solidarity in the ongoing struggle for social justice in America.
FRAGMENTS
- In its early stages of development, Steven Spielberg was initially attached to direct the film, planning on casting Heath Ledger as Tom Hayden and Will Smith as Bobby Seale
- A pivotal event in this film, the murder of Illinois Chapter Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton is thoroughly explored in competing 2021 Best Picture Nominee Judas and the Black Messiah which features Daniel Kaluuya as Hampton
- Jeremy Strong and Caitlin FitzGerald star in the acclaimed HBO Original Series Succession
MCU CONNECTIONS
- Michael Keaton (Adrian Toomes in Spider-Man: Homecoming)
