Film Review: "The Trial of the Chicago 7" (2020).

"In 1968, democracy refused to back down." This is The Trial of the Chicago 7. This historical legal drama film written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. What was supposed to be a peaceful protest turned into a violent clash with the police. What followed was one of the most notorious trials in history.

In July 2020, in a Vanity Fair interview, Sorkin stated that he first found out about the planned film during a visit to Steven Spielberg's home in 2006. In July 2007, Sorkin wrote the script based on the conspiracy trial of the so-called Chicago 7. Spielberg, Walter F. Parkes, and Laurie MacDonald collaborated on the development of Sorkin's script, with Spielberg intending to direct the film. Sacha Baron Cohen was cast as Abbie Hoffman as early as 2007, while, at the time, Spielberg approached Will Smith for the role of Bobby Seale, and planned to meet with Heath Ledger about playing Tom Hayden. The Writers Guild of America strike, which started in November 2007 and lasted one hundred days, delayed filming and the project was suspended. Sorkin later continued to rewrite the script for Spielberg, and the director intended to mostly cast unknowns to keep the budget down. In 2008, Ben Stiller was reported to be working with Sorkin while considering directing the film. In July 2013, it was announced that Paul Greengrass would direct but he exited the project two months later when a budget could not be agreed upon, and it did not move forward. In December 2018, the film was put on hold due to budgetary concerns, until it was revived and ready for distribution offers, with DreamWorks Pictures' former parent company, Paramount Pictures initially picking up distribution rights, as the film was excluded from Amblin Partners' distribution deal with Cross Creek Pictures' former distribution partner, Universal Pictures. After the release of Molly's Game and after Trump became President, Spielberg suggested to Sorkin that Sorkin direct it. Ultimately, Sorkin agreed. By October 2019, Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, J. C. MacKenzie, Frank Langella, Michael Keaton, John Doman, Caitlin FitzGerald, Max Adler, Alex Sharp, Noah Robbins, and Daniel Flaherty were cast. Seth Rogen was set to play Jerry Rubin until Strong replaced Rogen. Jonathan Majors was set to play Bobby Seale until Abdul-Mateen II replaced Majors. At the same time, principal photography commenced and took place in Patterson, New Jersey and Chicago, Illinois.

The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Cohen, Redmayne, Strong, Lynch, Abdul-Mateen II, Harrison Jr., Rylance, Gordon-Levitt, MacKenzie, Langella, Keaton, Doman, FitzGerald, Adler, Sharp, Robbins, and Flaherty. Each member of the cast are aces throughout the entire film.

Based on real events, this tale of a group of seven men trying to fight for justice and refusing to back down gains extra currency in the post-Trump climate. The film is an entertaining and confident sophomore effort for Sorkin, even if it's definitely too slow.

Simon says The Trial of the Chicago 7 receives:

Also, see my review for Molly's Game.