The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

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Aaron Sorkin has been around for quite some time. A Few Good Men, Moneyball, Steve Jobs, and arguably one of the best movies of the last decade, The Social Network, all have one thing in common: Sorkin as a screenwriter, but not as the director. Molly's Game was Sorkin's directorial debut, which makes The Trial of the Chicago 7 only his second time in the director's chair. I've either loved or liked every film from him, so obviously, my expectations were already high enough solely due to his presence. However, with the announcement of such a stellar cast, it's impossible not to expect one of the best movies of the year to come out of this project...

Expectations fulfilled. This is, in fact, one of 2020's very best films, without the shadow of a doubt. Based on real events, the movie quickly jumps to the main point of action: the trial. Only twenty minutes in, the viewer is already inside the famous courtroom where the expected and the unexpected occur simultaneously. Sorkin's employs a narrative structure that keeps me captivated until the final credits start to roll. The actions that led to this court case are demonstrated throughout the same instead of being shown through a linear timeline, which would reduce the trial's value. It's the main reason why such a simple premise turns into a phenomenal adaptation of the historical event.

I couldn't take my eyes off-screen for a single second or lose one of the many incredible dialogues. Every conversation, every argument, every objection, overrule, or "motion denied" is transmitted to the viewer in an exceptionally captivating manner. It's one of those movies where the "action" belongs to words instead of fists. I felt tremendously invested in the trial. It never loses a gram of interest, it's full-on exciting all the time. I desperately wanted to find out the result of the case (I didn't possess knowledge of the real story, but I'll address this further down). I really wanted to witness the events that put the defendants in their respective positions. I strongly desired to see the end of the situation.

As soon as the film ends, I felt the urge to immediately research everything about the true story. I spent close to forty-five minutes reading many articles about the 1968 Democratic National Convention, the riots, the presidential nominees... everything. This is one of the most important criteria I have to define how successful a historical flick truly is: how much does it compel me to research everything about it. The Trial of the Chicago 7 convinces me to study the real events with significant impact. From what I've read, Sorkin changes a few details timeline-wise (something pretty common in this type of movie), but overall, it's a pretty accurate, realistic adaptation.

Technically, every component is remarkable, as expected from a Netflix-Sorkin partnership. However, the score plays a special part since its volume in crescendo elevates several escalating situations, leaving me at the edge of my couch, biting my nails. It's a fantastic achievement from Daniel Pemberton, who also scored Birds of Prey and Enola Holmes this year. Additionally, this might not be a one-location film, but Sorkin keeps the camera so focused on the courtroom that it feels like the audience is stuck in there with the defendants.

Besides Sorkin's screenplay, the cast obviously plays a massive role.

Fmovies: Movie of the year so far, for me. The is no greater master of political debate and courtroom drama than scriptwriter-turned-auteur Aaron Sorkin. From A Few Good Men to the West Wing to the Newsroom, Sorkin's writing has captured the imagination and he absolutely knocks it out of the park with this one.

Based on the true story of 7 protesters arrested as part of the anti-Vietnam war demonstrations at the1968 Democratic Convention, Sorkin has given depth and intrigue to this chilling tale of governmental overreach and revenge politics.

While we have come to expect the captivating performances of Eddy Redmayne, it is Sacha Baron Cohen as the misunderstood hippie/protestor Abbie Hoffman who moves you the most.

Oscar-winner Mark Rylance is terrific as the beleaguered defence lawyer while Micheal Keaton oozes gravitas in a short guest role.

Must watch, especially if you are a Sorkin fan. Highly recommended

Strong acting performances that give life to an old story, as relevant in 1968 as it is now in 2020. The movie has High intensity and I wouldn't be suprised if it is awarded any prizes.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 fmovies. I find that court related films, especially those based on actual events, carry the great risk of either ending up extremely intense or excruciatingly monotonous. This however, is one of the very few that pulls it off with ease in all aspects, to which also provides some unexpected humour (yes; mainly from Sacha Baron Cohen).

Another part of the story I definitely didn't expect going in was how character driven it was, propelled by an absolutely extraordinary cast; who some should at least get some award recognition this coming season for when the time arrives.

So far, this is probably my current favourite film to have released this year, despite the lack of competition.

I think Sorkin exercised more discipline than usual in putting this film together. The script was clear, literate, and gave the right tone to each role. The editing also was excellent in bringing in flashback events at the right time during the trial, which kept the pace going forward while providing key background details. He kept the drama high, even though the history and conclusion is well known, by leaving out some of the intermediate details. He trusted his audience at just the right times without compromising the story.

Can't say enough about the entire cast. Brilliant job from the seasoned veterans down to relative newbies. SBC was beyond great as Abbie Hoffman, but the entire cast worked magic together.

Must see; this is one for the ages.

A very good film, with a great beginning, nice pace, well developped characters, excellent text and dialogs. Eddie Redmayne proves once more that he is the best actor of his generation and that he is able to portray the most varied characters one may conceive. Sadha Baron Cohen also surprises with a suberb performance which shows that, while having comic moments, he is also perfectly able to portray serious, deep and not stylized characters just like the usual ones. This is a dynamic but also deep movie, which is competent to show that electoral regimes are not aithomatically worthy to be labeled as democracies. Racism, narrow-minded shallow patriotism and right-wing extremism, common along all political history in the United States, are shown just like they are. The Trial of the Chicago 7 is my favourite movie from 2020 so far.