It feels as though writer-director Aaron Sorkin (“Molly’s Game”) almost never fails to impress with his works. From films such as “The Social Network,” Sorkin has shown time and time again how truly gifted and intelligent he is as a screenwriter; a skill which has also aided him greatly in the director’s chair.
Sorkin’s most recent work, “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” shines as it displays an extraordinary true story which heavily plays to the director’s strengths, all while being expertly supported by a well-assembled ensemble cast.
Framed around the era of the Vietnam War, the film depicts the real life events surrounding the titular group of seven anti-war activists as they stand trial for conspiracy and inciting riot. Unlike some political or legal dramas, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” benefits greatly from not becoming fully immersed in a bleak or serious tone. Instead, it offers a reasonable balance of both drama and humor which both help to highlight the unique and influential personalities of the individuals portrayed, while also keeping in mind the seriousness of their circumstances and the events which pose as the film’s backdrop.
Overall, the film keeps a fast pace, which does wonders to ensure audience investment while still heavily emphasizing its political and legal themes.
Finally, the film maintains the spirit of the best courtroom genres, such as “A Few Good Men,” which Sorkin wrote the screenplay for as well. Not only does this show that he was in his element by making this film but also that he can elevate a story which, for him, is rather familiar, and ultimately create something even greater.
Aside from its intelligent writing, the film also stands out due to its stellar cast, which contains the likes of Eddie Redmayne (“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”), Michael Keaton (“Dumbo”) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“Project Power”). Perhaps the greatest performance in the film comes from actor-comedian Sacha Baron Cohen (“Alice Through the Looking Glass”) as activist Abbie Hoffman. As Hoffman, Cohen maintains the spirit of his own comedic works through his character’s antics both in and out of the courtroom, while also delivering a rather grounded and captivating dramatic performance which unquestionably stands out as one of his career’s best. Aside from Cohen, other remarkably notable performances in the film include Frank Langella (“Captain Fantastic”) as the perhaps unqualified Judge Julius Hoffman, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“Aquaman”) as the man standing trial alongside the Chicago 7, Bobby Seale (“Malcolm X”), and Mark Rylance (“Ready Player One”) as the Chicago 7’s defense lawyer, William Kunstler.
Given Netflix’s tendency to mass release original content on a yearly basis, a great majority of these projects ultimately fade into obscurity rather quickly, with very few being able to really hold their own. However, those which do find a way to succeed usually shine, with films such as “Marriage Story” or “Roma” truly standing out as some of their creator’s best works. Thankfully, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” stands as one of these exceptions, demonstrating the technical prowess of its writer and director, while displaying a sensational story which seems to have practically set itself up for an eventual film adaptation. Seeing as Sorkin is seemingly still experiencing the prime of his career, a great deal of excitement may be dedicated to whichever directorial project he chooses to pursue next.
