The Reel Review
This is the Netflix historical drama about the trial of the Chicago Seven, the activists accused of conspiracy and inciting a riot after their Vietnam War protest outside Chicago’s 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a violent clash with police. Initially planned as a non-violent protest, the shocking unrest was broadcast around the world.
The screenplay from Oscar-winning writer/director Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, The West Wing) is classic Sorkin – loaded with intricate, rapid-fire dialogue which feels more like him showing off his knack for writing complicated conversations than for turning out a realistic script. In addition to Sorkin’s showboating, the film also has made-for-TV vibe that fails to live up to the subject matter’s historical importance.
Some of the acting is exemplary – namely, four-time Tony-winner Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon) as the wickedly incompetent federal judge Julius Hoffman, Oscar-winner Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) as William Kunstler, the group’s lead defense attorney, and Yahya Abdul Mateen II (Watchmen, Aquaman) as Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale, who prosecutors initially lumped into the group to make them look more menacing. Where it misses the mark is in the unfortunate miscasting of Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm), with his shockingly awful, nails-on-a-chalkboard take on Abbie Hoffman’s American accent. At least the hair is on point.
Despite its flaws, The Trial of the Chicago 7 is an important and timely film, particularly given America’s current debate over police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. For that reason alone, it is worth seeing and has Sorkin’s predictable, feel good finish. It just could have been so much better.
REEL FACTS
• The Trial of the Chicago 7 initially was to have a wide theatrical release prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Netflix won a bidding war against Amazon, Apple and Hulu for the film, paying $56 million for it.
• In 1982, the Executive Committee of the U.S. District Court ordered that Julius Hoffman, the presiding federal judge in the trial of the Chicago Seven, not be assigned any new cases due to complaints of his erratic and abusive nature. He continued to preside over ongoing cases until his death on July 1, 1983, a week short of his 88th birthday.
• Initially Steven Spielberg was slatted to direct the film and was planning to meet with Heath Ledger to discuss the role of Tom Hayden when Ledger died the day before in 2008.
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