The Trial of the Chicago 7 (dir. by Aaron Sorkin, 2020)

“The whole world is watching! The whole world is watching! The whole world is watching!” This chant often fuels The Trial of the Chicago 7 as it steamrolls through its two-hour runtime. It’s the same chant that accompanied the film’s trailer, and it’s a particularly apt companion for many reasons. Of course, in its literal and historical sense as words of warning and protest, but also in how it parallels contemporary society and the role of the media today, as well as being a tongue-in-cheek metatextual hope. It’s a hope I very much wish to come true as The Trial of the Chicago 7 is one of my favourite films of 2020, and with it being released on Netflix this Friday (16th October), it will get the widespread audience it deserves.

The film is based on the true story of the eponymous group of protestors who were charged with conspiracy and crossing state lines with the intention of inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The 7, along with thousands of other left-wing activists, were protesting against America’s involvement in the Vietnam War when their peaceful protests descended into violent riots following the involvement of the Chicago Police Department.

The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, beginning with a montage setting up the political and social landscape of America in 1968, the state of the war, and all the characters and their motivations for travelling to Chicago. Combining real news footage and acted scenes, this montage is a perfect introduction to the world of the film. The story then cuts to months later, and to the beginning of the trial. As it goes on, we discover what really happened over those fateful few days, and by slowly revealing the truth bit by bit, it helps raise the tension to a nail-biting level.

Masterminded by the Hollywood master of dialogue, Aaron Sorkin (screenwriter of The Social Network, Moneyball and A Few Good Men) both wrote and directed the film. As always, his script is impeccable. It’s tight, funny, thrilling and intelligent, and it all places you directly in the turbulent social space of the late 60’s in America. The costuming, makeup and production design are all great, even if at times they do feel a bit over-exaggerated.

The script is carried by a truly magnificent ensemble cast that all put in excellent performances. Familiar faces among the 7 include Sacha Baron Cohen as Abbie Hoffman, a funny, dope-smoking hippie who is far more intelligent than his appearance suggests. Baron Cohen is certainly the star of the show, bringing his well-tested comedic chops along with his well composed dramatic skills too.

Eddie Redmayne also stars as Tom Hayden, a conflicted student who doesn’t know whether to go along with the rest of the groups’ decision to use the trial as a political platform or just to try and get a short a sentence as possible. Other highlights include Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Bobby Seale, the leader of the Black Panthers, Jeremy Strong as Jerry Rubin, a hippie friend of Hoffman’s and Mark Rylance as William Kunstler, the group’s lawyer.

The 7’s plight is clearly shown in the film’s generic template of a courtroom drama. The odds are consistently stacked against them, with an elderly biased judge (played by Frank Langella, another great portrayal) being the figurehead of this. To see the injustices done by the law both in and outside of the courtroom is deeply disheartening, and without a doubt recalls current events across the pond.

The film inevitably has its ups and downs emotionally, and with every rise and dip I was there on the journey. Its paced excellently and is a truly enthralling watch. The Trial of the Chicago 7 is immediate, necessary and wildly entertaining, and is certainly a film that looks to win big when it comes to next year’s awards season (if there will be one!).