'The Trial Of The Chicago 7 (2020)' dramatises a widely known court case concerning the organisers of a protest in late-60s Chicago, which began peacefully but quickly escalated into a skirmish with the police, who supposedly "conspired to incite violence across state lines" and, as such, can each be charged with up to ten years in prison. It was, essentially, a show trial meant to reduce the impact of the supposed cultural revolution, a biased affair meant to railroad the titular defendants - alongside an eighth who is consistently denied his right to counsel. The film is slick, straightforward and to-the-point, pairing its baffling and frustrating sham of a trial with flashbacks and recesses that explore the political reasoning behind its events. It's an engaging, enjoyable experience that does a great job of getting you on the same side as its anti-establishment main characters. Sorkin's smooth-as-butter dialogue is delivered by a bevy of famous faces who each turn in some of their best work. Some of them are sure to crop up in the Academy's list of nominees for best actor and best supporting actor. The only real flaw with the cast is its lack of female members; the few women who appear onscreen have very minor roles. Overall, this is a solid, consistently entertaining courtroom drama. It's rather timely, too. 7/10
