Review 583: The Trial of the Chicago 7

 

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a gripping and emotionally stirring historical, legal drama and another fine directorial effort from Aaron Sorkin.

In 1969 and 1970, a group of seven defendants known as the Chicago Seven, Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne), Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen), Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong), David Dellinger (John Carroll Lynch), Rennie Davis (Alex Sharp), John Froines (Daniel Flaherty) and Lee Weiner (Noah Robins) are charged by the U.S. government for conspiracy in 1969 and 1970, inciting to riot, and other charges related to anti-Vietnam War and counterculteral protests that took place in Chicago Illinois on the occasion of the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

The plot is a painfully unerving recounting of historical events. It is a testement to Sorkin's skill as a writer that the courtroom scenes are as gripping as they are because he infueses them with his trademark         These defendents were charged almost injustly for    It's almost impossible to not notice parrells between the events that unfold in the film and modern laws against prostests getting passed. 

Aaron Sorkin's direction is superb and makes us as an audience feel the power and the weight of the protests and the courtroom scenes, filming the latter scenes mainly in wide shots, giving us a clear sense of the geography of what's happening and providing mid-shots and close ups of the titular 7 at just the right opportunities. The cinematography is fabulous and captures the  of Chicago in the late 60's and early 70's. The score by Daniel Pemberton is tuneful and snappy. The production design (recreating late 60's Chicago) is terrific, the costumes are fantastic and effect of the closing scene is deeply mooving.

Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch, Alex Sharp, Noah Robbins, Daniel Flaherty, Mark Ryalnce, Frank Langella, Michael Keaton. In particular, Baron Cohen, Mateen II,

Abdul-Mateen II is very powerful playing Bobby Seale, he was denied legal representation. His lawyer was recovering from surgery and they refused to delay the trial. Mateen II expertly conveys his sense of unfairness, desperation as well as

Keaton is only onscreen for 5 minutes but he steals every minute of them, this thanks in part because he has such a wonderfully stern, no nonsence attitude which was perfect for playing lawyer, Ramsey Clark.

5/5.

The Anonymous Critic.