The Trial of the Chicago 7 follows a group of Vietnam War protestors accused of inciting a riot during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. As the title suggests, the 2020 film written and directed by Aaron Sorkin is primarily about the trial, with the events of the protests shown in flashback sequences. It's a timely film because parallels can be drawn to the current political condition. In an interview, Sorkin stated that "Donald Trump came into our lives. And here's where things suddenly became relevant."
During the 2016 Presidential campaign, a protestor disrupted Trump at a rally. In response, he remarked, "I love the old days, you know what they used to do to guys like that when they were in a place like this? They'd be carried out in a stretcher, folks. Oh, it's true." He then said, "I'd like to punch him in the face."
The "old days" referred to by Trump are likely the 1960s when civil rights and anti-Vietnam War activists took to the streets and were attacked by police armed with tear gas and nightsticks. Understandably, Trump probably did not participate in any of these protests because he was nursing a devastating heel spur.
After taking office, Trump made good on the promise to "Make America Great Again" by bringing the country back to 1968. Amid the George Floyd protests in June 2020, Trump ordered law enforcement officers to use tear gas and physical force on peaceful protestors because he wanted a clear path from the White House to the St John's Church to pose for a photo with a bible. The "old days" were back!
St John’s Episcopal Church, Washington, DC, 6/1/20 (from vox.com)
Sorkin also drew parallels between The Trial of the Chicago 7 and the January 6 Capitol riots. He said that "Donald Trump did exactly what the Chicago 7 were wrongfully accused of doing." And Sorkin concludes the narrative with the unjust conviction of five of the seven men charged with inciting the 1968 riots. However, an appeals court subsequently overturned the ruling. On the other hand, the Senate failed to convict Trump in his Impeachment trial. Yet, the fate of Trump and his allies, accused of inciting the insurrection, may still be tested in criminal and civil courts.
Aside from its relevance to current events, Sorkin's dramatized film's strength lies in examining the motives and beliefs of a wide array of individuals, not just the defendants but also the judge who shows disdain for the Chicago 7. Sorkin exposes corrupt government officials hell-bent on falsely convicting the protestors. More than 50 years later, the audience is left to wonder how many people today still consider 1968 the "good old days?" Moreover, who will view Trump as guilty of incitement, and who will consider him a victim of a government conspiracy?
Aaron Sorkin has written numerous acclaimed scripts, including The Social Network (2010) and Moneyball (2011). The Trial of the Chicago 7 is no exception, garnering an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. And perhaps the most memorable scene is a heated exchange between two of the Chicago 7, Abbie Hoffman and Tom Hayden. As the trial is nearing the end, the defendants fear an imminent conviction. Hoffman (played by Sacha Baron Cohen, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role) and Hayden (Eddie Redmayne) take their frustrations out on each other, questioning their motives for social activism.
Sacha Baron Cohen (Abbie Hoffman) and Jeremy Strong (Jerry Rubin)
Hoffman recalls when Hayden once said, "the last thing he (Hoffman) wants is to end the war."
Hayden confirms the prior accusation by replying, "no more war, no Abbie Hoffman."
Upset with the allegation, Hoffman asks Hayden if the Chicago protests would have occurred if Robert Kennedy was not assassinated? When Hayden replied, "no," Hoffman asks, "weren't you just a little bit happy when the bullet ripped through his (Kennedy's) head?" He then says, "no Chicago, no Tom Hayden." In other words, it takes one to know one.
Yahya Abdul-Matten II (Bobby Seale), Ben Shenkman (Leonard Weinglass), Mark Rylance (William Kunstler), Eddie Redmayne (Tom Hayden), and Alex Sharp (Rennie Davis)
The cynical view of activism by both Hoffman and Hayden is intriguing. By accusing each other of the same selfish motives, are they admitting guilt? If so, what is their crime?
At least 100 firefighters are convicted of arson each year in North America. These troubled souls presumably suffer from "hero syndrome," where individuals seek recognition by creating a harmful situation they then can resolve. With this definition, neither Hoffman nor Hayden seems to suffer from the syndrome; Hoffman did not start the Vietnam War, and Hayden did not shoot Robert Kennedy. But is it still reprehensible for anyone to benefit from another's misfortune?
A cynic would consider both Hoffman and Hayden as opportunists taking advantage of a bad situation. But as long as they didn't create the problem, it would be unfair to criticize them. It is analogous to condemning a farmer for benefiting from hunger. Unless, of course, the Chicago 7 actually incited the riots. Perhaps they thought that they could be heroes by resolving the ensuing violence. By including the altercation in an "it takes one to know one" dynamic, Sorkin questions their mission's purity. Maybe he is suggesting that Hoffman and Hayden may bear some responsibility for the riots.
Following the January 6 insurrection, there is a lot of finger-pointing. Many blame Trump for spreading the "Big Lie" that the Democrats stole the election. But is it possible that he believes his conspiracy theory? Perhaps, if Trump worked as an election official, he would have done all he could to cheat the system; because it takes one to know one. And if he believes his lie, is he less culpable?
To learn about the events surrounding the Chicago 7, one can just watch any of the several documentaries found online. But The Trial of the Chicago 7 is much more than a systematic presentation of historical evidence. It is a well-scripted drama that sheds light on what motivated notable figures during a turbulent time. And because parallels can be drawn to current events, Sorkin reveals timeless human qualities.
Andrew’s Grade: A
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