‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ is the Film America Needs Right Now
Aaron Sorkin’s relevant adaptation of the 1969 trial delivers justice.
Aaron Sorkin is one of the most celebrated screenwriters in Hollywood these days. His sharp dialogues in television shows and movies thrive and make the characters come alive after saying a few sentences. They draw the audience in immediately.
Think of the first scene of The Social Network: Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) speaks to his girlfriend without taking a breath. He talks at a rapid pace jumping between several thoughts, but never loses the focus of making a point. Just after five minutes, he seems to be many things: smart, asshole, genius, insecure, narcissist. We, as the audience, are intrigued to find out more. That’s all Aaron Sorkin. No tricks.
At a time when not just America but the whole world is in desperate need of justice, The Trial of the Chicago 7 feels like taking a breath after spending years underwater. To portray one of the most significant trials of U.S. history, Sorkin is the best man for the job.
Sorkin is a master of bending facts and history dramatically to create suspense. On the screen, he makes everything seem larger than life.
