With razor sharp writing and a gripping composition, Academy Award winner, Aaron Sorkin, brings the real-life story of The Trial of the Chicago 7 to Netflix.
The film is based on the famous trial of seven defendants charged for conspiracy and “inciting riots” in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
This tulmertous circus of a political trial is masterfully captured by Sorkin’s electrifying screenplay that illustrates the power of protest and the injustices that unfortunately still remain in this country. There are sequences that feel like direct reflections of the brutality sparking from events of today.
Although some of the courtroom sequences feel a wee too dramatized, Sorkin did a phenomenal job of well, what he does best — gripping courtroom dialogue and suspense fast-paced drama. And a lot of this is thanks to the cast.
The all-star cast all bask in the glory of Sorkin’s screenplay. From Eddie Redmayne’s intellectual portrayal as Tom Hayden, to Frank Langella’s villainous performance as Judge Hoffman to even Sacha Baron Cohen, who breaks away from bombastic Borat to give a truly stand out performance — everyone truly shines with every punch. It’s like an acting masterclass.
I know what you’re thinking though. Academy Award winner writer (who is also directing), all-Star cast, based-on-true-events story — is this Oscar bait? Perhaps.
However, it’s the kind of Oscar bait that gets people talking. And with “the whole world watching”, I did want a little more of a gut punch like the finale of Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods. However, this is a great start to the fall season of cinema and I’m eager to see The Trial of the Chicago 7 in this upcoming awards season.
Final Thoughts: The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a poignant, entertaining and timely courtroom drama woven together with the brilliance of Sorkin.
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