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Title: The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Eddie Redmayne | ... | Tom Hayden | |
| Alex Sharp | ... | Rennie Davis | |
| Sacha Baron Cohen | ... | Abbie Hoffman | |
| Jeremy Strong | ... | Jerry Rubin | |
| John Carroll Lynch | ... | David Dellinger | |
| Yahya Abdul-Mateen II | ... | Bobby Seale | |
| Mark Rylance | ... | William Kunstler | |
| Joseph Gordon-Levitt | ... | Richard Schultz | |
| Ben Shenkman | ... | Leonard Weinglass | |
| J.C. MacKenzie | ... | Thomas Foran | |
| Frank Langella | ... | Judge Julius Hoffman | |
| Danny Flaherty | ... | John Froines | |
| Noah Robbins | ... | Lee Weiner | |
| John Doman | ... | John Mitchell | |
| Michael Keaton | ... | Ramsey Clark | |
The Trial of the Chicago 7 stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eddie Redmayne share their five reasons not to miss Aaron Sorkin's courtroom drama on Netflix.
In Chicago 1968, the Democratic Party Convention was met with protests from activists like the moderate Students for a Democratic Society led by Tom Hayden and the militant Yippies led by Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin, which led to violent confrontations with the local authorities. As a result, seven of the accused ringleaders are arraigned on charges like Conspiracy by the hostile Nixon administration, including Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers who was not involved in the incident. What follows is an unfair trial presided by the belligerent Judge Hoffman (No relation) and prosecuted by a reluctant but duty-bound Richard Schultz. As their pro bono lawyers face such odds, Hayden and his fellows are frustrated by the Yippies' outrageous antics undermining their defense in defiance of the system even while Seale is denied a chance to defend himself his way. Along the way, the Chicago 7 clash in their political philosophies even as they learn they need each other in this fight. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol1970@gmail.com)
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" We're not going to jail because of what we did, we're going to jail because of what we are."
Aaron Sorkin's latest directorial (his 2nd) offering 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' resuscitates the art of courtroom drama. The film was based on trial of the Chicago seven, who are wrongfully charged by the Federal Govt. with conspiracy and violent encounters, arising from the counter-cultural revolution at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Sorkin dramatizes(perfectly) the trial but it was itself one of the most dramatic events in American history, characterized by the judge's uncloaked hatred of the defendants; star testimony from some of the era's cultural icons, including Allen Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Jesse Jackson, and Judy Collins; and disturbing visuals, like the only Black defendant being shackled and gagged in court. Now we all know about Sorkin that he is one of the greatest screenwriters working today..and with his 2nd film as a director he proves his worth in directing also. Sorkin is always famous for his fast paced screenplays and cutting dialogues, suited perfectly with the characters. Really have to appreciate about the cast specially Mark Rylance, Eddie Redmayne and Sacha Baron Cohen did a great job, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Yahya Abdul Mateen-II also acted very well...probably best ensemble cast of this year ( oh yeah we got a cameo from Michael Keaton). What can I say, this is classic Sorkin, one of the most engaging and entertaining courtroom drama I've seen in many years,he really outperformed himself...this one is far better than his previous work on courtroom film 'A Few Good Men'. Sorkin's film values properly the sacrifice these young men made and applauds their willingness to stand up for what's right as the world crumbled around them..and (little spoiler alert) ofc. the ending scene when Tom Hayden (Redmayne) when read the name of the American soldiers who lost their life during the Vietnam War, that was really very emotional. A compelling recreation of the notorious trial of 1968..a film about a certain moment in history that feels relevant and timely. - "There are great films, and there are movies 'of their moment.' Aaron Sorkin's film is a bit of both."