The Whole World Is Watching- The Trial of the Chicago 7.

This Review contains spoilers

Let me introduce myself. I am an Aaron Sorkin stan first, human being second.

Well lads, after that brief heatwave I believe autumn is here to stay. At least, In the UK that is. It is a grey and drizzly day here in London and as you might expect I am on my way to watch a movie.

I would like to start this review by praising the subgenre that is courtroom dramas. They’ve been popping up in TV shows like Suits and How to get away with Murder, As well as in the massive increase in true crime spawning tonnes of documentary films, TV shows, books and podcasts. So I believe its safe to say that we’ll probably be seeing more courtroom dramas on the horizon.

Every actor in this film holds their ground, there is not one weak amongst them. Both sides of the defence and the prosecution burn with passion that only deepens throughout the film. The judge (Julius Hoffman) is a particularly heavy and potent personality in the court room.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is exquisite as Bobby Seale, not only does he look alike but he has all the gusto, guts and power of Seale. The scene where he is forcibly removed from the courtroom and bound and gagged is rightfully horrific and painful to watch. But the pushback from both sides of the court suggest that despite their differences, the opposing sides can find a common ground. When the judge utters to a lawyer: “You are the first to suggest that I have discriminated against a black man” and then, like a missile Weinglass (Shenkman) fires back: “Then let the record show that I am the second.” Sorkin!

Mark Rylance as William Kunstler and Joseph Gordon-Levitt volley their acting skills back and forth as the prosecutor and the defence throughout the entirety of the film. But it is Rylance who ultimately wins our hearts with his wild and honest plea for justice and truth. He’s serving big Atticus Finch energy and the audience is totally eating out of the palm of his hand. Also, I’d like to see JGL in more films, he’s a sweet guy.

Eddie Redmayne as Tom Hayden has perhaps the biggest character arc and its very fulfilling to watch. His usual timid acting style is replaced with an outspoken and powerful man by the end of the film- I guess they’re going to nominate him for lead actor come awards season? Idk man.

Sacha Baron Cohen and Jeremy Strong ace their roles as Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin the leaders of the yippie movement- they are wonderful. Yes, they are interject humour into a dark and heavy film but they also have strong morals and education intellect that gives them depth. Could they (Particularly SBC) do what sandman couldn’t do last year?

Perhaps Sorkin’s dialogue heavy and clean cinematography might rub people the wrong way, I must say that Sorkin’s attention to the dialogue first does make the action sequences that much sweeter. It's infuriating how relevant this subject still is today, and many may say that this is just cashing in on peoples current social and political beliefs but I believe that this could be a golden opportunity to educate people on issues surrounding the police, revolution, race, war and the law.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is out in select cinemas now and on Netflix on the 16th of October