The Trial of the Chicago 7 on Netflix Feels Pretty Good

Netflix, Poster

My study of American History makes me no stranger to the 60s and the Vietnam War. That said, I know very few details about the Chicago 7. In fact, I didn’t even know that Abbie Hoffman was among those on trial.  At the same time, I’ve also learned that learning history from the movies is a poor substitute for understanding. So I was reluctant to take my curriculum from the Netflix movie, but with some encouragement, I gave it a go.

I couldn’t help keep my laptop nearby, though.  I wanted to fact-check every time I saw something suspect.  But I mostly decided to let it go, and let the drama play out for enjoyment. 

Thus, Sorkin’s set up reveals that the Chicago Seven are far from homogenous and that “the man” isn’t the only source of conflict.   Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale, John Froines, Lee Weiner and David Dellinger divvy up the agendas, and the opening splice has the main characters marking their territory.  

Literally completing each other’s sentences, the novice quickly sees the divergence. Foremost, the editing has Hayden and Davis play perfect contrast to Hoffman and Rubin.  No nonsense, student activism to end the war versus opened ended visions of social revolution and a kinder, cooler nation.  

In turn, the invasive deadpans of Sacha Baron Cohen continually deepens the chasm.   “We will go to Chicago to show our disgust and solidarity, but most importantly,” Hoffman asserts, “you’re going to get laid by someone you just met.”

Therein lies the other rift between the two forces. Hoffman enjoys the attention way too much, and Hayden isn’t shy about questioning the hippy’s true motives.

In between, Dellinger and his nonviolent community organizing experience plays the part of grownup. So as the Hoffman and Hayden camps slug it out, John Carroll Lynch’s non imposing persona and interpretation can’t help feeling fatherly.

Of course, the real bad guy comes in the form of the US government.  John Doman as Attorney General John Mitchell brings us back and exudes the petty vindictiveness of the Nixon Administration.

In his employ, Joseph Gordon-Levitt stands in as lead attorney Richard Schultz, and from the outset, the young lawyer is at odds with the agenda. Nonetheless, all considerations fall prey to the demands of being a company man.

 Still, you get the sense that the due diligence is going to give way to his better angels. Well, it is a movie, and based on a true story assures the counselor will eventually flap his wings.

But we’re in no danger of that with Frank Langella, and his portrayal of Judge Julius Hoffman. His autocratic conservatism sucks all the hope out of the room and reminds of the futility of fighting city hall.  

His diminishing capabilities are no help either, and Bobby Seale of the Black Panther Party pays like no other.  An outlier for those like me who don't know, he was the eighth defendant, and went unrepresented. A throw in, according to the discourse, “a black guy was needed to scare the jury.”  

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II strikes an imposing figure, but more for the insistent demands for his constitutional rights, and the moment it comes to a head, hopefully your laptop is near.

Another instance of Hollywood over dramatization seemed the order. But spoiler alert, you might not raise such a stink the next time you see an athlete take a knee over our criminal justice system.

The politics, competing visions and tumult of the times bandied all about, Mark Rylance provides the middle ground in his portrayal of William Kunstler. He’s positioned perfectly for Seven who aren’t in the same place in regards to what they are willing to sacrifice for the cause.

Hoffman to Hayden, all or another is the range. Of course, Hollywood gives us the neat little consensus we expect, and the resulting synergy feels pretty good. Why not, don’t we deserve the comfort of knowing that in unity we can successfully fight the power?

On November 3, 2020, I say, 'yes.'

But if you insist on being a bummer, Amazon is currently running Conspiracy: The Trial of The Chicago 8. Let me know how it goes.

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