Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
After a lack of ‘quality’ films this year, Netflix once again delivers with the simply exceptional The Trial of the Chicago 7.  Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin and starring an ensemble of some of Hollywood’s best actors (Keaton, Baron Cohen, Redmayne, Langella, Gordon-Levitt, Rylance), this sub $40 million dollar budgeted court room drama is a revelation.  Yes it could have felt dull and stagey, after all the film hardly leaves the courtroom across its 2 hour plus run time, but Sorkin takes a compelling story, adds his usual layer of dazzling dialogue and delivers a film that makes you laugh, cheer and scream in frustration. Sorkin even manages to prove that he’s more than just a great writer here – he’s a great director also, stepping into the shoes of original choice Spielberg and making a seamless transition.  I get that Sorkin may not be for everyone but I’m a huge admirer of him and his work.  The Trial of the Chicago 7  is one of 2020’s best films.

Best Bit: The opening is superb but the screenplay wins it here.

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy – Essential viewing

If You Liked this Try: A Few Good Men, Mollys Game, The Social Network