A Reel Review: THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 was originally planned for a wide theatrical release in hopes of an Oscar run. With the ongoing pandemic shuttering most theatres, the film is now playing in a few select theatres and on Netflix. It is directed by Aaron Sorkin, who has been one of Hollywood’s most respected screenwriters over the years, writing hits such as A FEW GOOD MEN (1992), THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (1995), THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010), and MONEYBALL (2011). His second time in the director’s chair sees him adapting a true story from the turbulent 1960’s; a story that is even more relevant today.  

 

Federal Prosecutor Richard Schulz (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), is assigned by the U.S. government to prosecute eight individuals believed to have been involved in a conspiracy to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. 

 

Operating with a large cast and a timeline that takes place over a year, CHICAGO 7’s early goings introduce us to the eight (which later become seven during the course of the trial), as they prepare to head to Chicago to let their voices be heard about their anger over the Vietnam War. There’s Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne), and Rennie Davis (Alex Sharp), who want to encourage peaceful protests. Hippies Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong), who want to tear down the establishment. There’s David Dellinger (John Carroll Lynch), a family man and peaceful protester, and Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), a member of the Black Panther party. Once the introductions are over, the film jumps ahead a year and sees the U.S. government, with a vengeful Attorney General John Mitchell (John Doman), looking to charge the eight individuals as one crime even though they had not even met each other until after the riots. 

 

It’s a tale of David vs. Goliath, as the large defense team, led by attorney William Kunstler (Mark Rylance), goes up against the massive resources of the U.S. government and a biased judge (Frank Langella). The odds are against them, and things get even more difficult when the seven begin arguing amongst themselves over how to proceed with their defense; with the straight-arrow Hayden often clashing with the two hippies…who just want to poke fun at everything. It makes for good character drama with frequent battles of ideals. 

 

Once the trial does begin the film flashes back to the events of the days and nights of the Convention and the riots, and even though Sorkin and his script are on the side of the seven, the film does open the door for us to question if they really were responsible. Sorkin keeps things even-handed and it never feels preachy. The dialogue is sharp and witty and tight; perhaps too tight as most of it is focused on the trial and very little room for character moments. 

 

The entire cast puts in excellent performances. Mark Rylance turns in one of his best roles as the defense attorney, and his battles with the judge, (Frank Langella), are gripping. Sacha Baron Cohen finds an excellent balance between his usual fuck-you comedy and drama, and Jeremy Strong nearly steals the show. Michael Keaton cameos as Ramsey Clark, the former Attorney General of the U.S., and makes an impression. 

 

One of the most important things that a historical film can do is to show us just how far we’ve come, or in this case…how little things have changed since 1968. Sorkin isn’t blind to the fact that in 2020 the government wants to put limits on protesting, and there’s also a theme of men who have too much power to wield who don’t really understand it. It doesn’t matter how much we read into that, because THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 has a lot to say. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it