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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
If you have not seen Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, you must do so immediately. This legal drama film — releasing this week on Netflix — follows a group of seven white defendants and one Black man as they are charged with inciting a riot during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Those not familiar with the story, once finishing the film, will find that a lot that happens is relatable to what is going on in the world today. The eight men come from three groups of people: the Youth International Party (YIP), or Yippies; the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS); and the Black Panther Party. Of these eight men, Black Panther head Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is given the most discrimination, obviously due to the color of his skin. Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne) and Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen) also serve in powerful roles in this film, the former representing university students and the latter standing for the “hippies.”
As a just people in America, these men stand for their rights for what is good and moral in this nation, and to the court system, they are not seen as enough and are belittled. Jeremy Strong of Succession fame plays Baron Cohen’s co-hippie partner Jerry Rubin, who at one point saves a young woman from getting raped by horrible misogynistic white men. As a man who promotes peace, the individual breaks out of his comfort zone and defends the woman by fighting violence with violence. Strong delivers an outstanding performance alongside the actors who play the Seven and make no mistake that the characters’ words can easily be misconstrued, but the truth will always be out there.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. is almost unrecognizable as secondary character Frederick Allen “Fred” Hampton, chairman of the Black Panther Party, and even just as great is Michael Keaton as Ramsey Clark. Appearing in just the final 49 minutes of the film, the actor delivers a splendid performance, but you can easily see the character as Keaton himself.
Let’s talk about Baron Cohen as hippie Hoffman. The latter actor is well-known for his comedic roles which he never breaks out of, but never doubt that he can perform well in a dramatic role. Indeed, he shines in it. He speaks some truths throughout this 2+ hour movie. The character discusses taking emotional risks when rebelling against the system, that individuals are sent to jail because of who they are and not what they do. One important quote in this film can be found in the end, in which the character says, “I think the institutions of our democracy are wonderful things that right now are populated by some terrible people.”
In addition, the other two best performances of the film have to have come from Abdul-Mateen II and Redmayne. When Seale meets the white defendants, he asks if sticking it to the man feels better than escaping the ropes of a tree; and in a darker and much sadder scene, the character is restrained, not being able to speak and barely able to move. This is truly a powerful moment, and another is when Redmayne’s character speaks the names of men who died during the war in Vietnam, to which the judge refuses to heed.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 is worth the wait if this is on your 2020 movie watchlist. Its messages on police brutality, political elections, and other affairs pertaining to the government are worth looking in and actually taking the time to ruminate. In fact, its story is as potent then as it should be today. As Redmayne’s character Hayden says, “If [our] blood is gonna flow, let it flow all over the city.” As citizens living in harsh environments, it doesn’t matter if it isn’t happening to you. If you see something bad happening to another person, don’t just stand there. Do something! Our purpose is not just to make a statement, but to make sure that statement is heard by the masses.
Have you seen this film yet? If so, what did you think? Let us know! For more drama-related news and reviews follow The Cinema Spot on Twitter (@TheCinemaSpot) and Instagram (@thecinemaspot_).
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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