Opened: September 25, 2020

Directed by: Aaron Sorkin

Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Alex Sharp, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch, Noah Robbins, Daniel Flaherty, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Shenkman, J. C. MacKenzie, Frank Langella, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Michael Keaton, John Doman, Wayne Duvall, Caitlin FitzGerald, Max Adler, C. J. Wilson, Damian Young, Alice Kremelberg & Alan Metoskie

With Aaron Sorkin at the helm as both writer and director, The Trial of the Chicago 7 reminds Americans about a piece of history that reflects the state of the nation in 2020.

William Kunstler (Mark Rylance) represents the seven defendants – Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen), Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne), Rennie Davis (Alex Sharp), Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong), David Dellinger (John Carroll Lynch), Lee Weiner (Noah Robbins) and John Froines (Daniel Flaherty) – in their case against the United States after protests against the Vietnam War.

The racist treatment of Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), an eighth defendant not represented by Kunstler, by Judge Julius Hoffman (Frank Langella) is difficult to watch and portrays the systemic racism that’s been rampant in our justice system for years.

Sorkin’s script is fast-paced and wonderfully acted by all involved.

Final say: A powerful fight. ★★★★★