COVID-19 Special: 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' (15)

Director: Aaron Sorkin

Cast: Eddie Redmayne. Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Where can I watch?: The Trial of the Chicago 7 is streaming on Netflix

Rating: 4/5

Review: I'll get something off my chest straight away: I'm something of an Aaron Sorkin fangirl. As a young'un, I was subjected to VHS re-runs of The West Wing, something that I initially rolled my eyes at but soon came to rather enjoy (President Bartlett for life, am I right?). As a would-be-wish-I-could writer, Sorkin's command of dialogue and interpersonal relationships always struck me, so seeing his name attached to this true story immediately appealed to me. Taking the director's helm for a second time, Sorkin unites an all-star ensemble cast in this poignant, oft-infuriating retelling of the court case surrounding the Chicago Seven. Playing with the timeline to reveal the actual events of the night of the 1968 riot, Sorkin expertly crafts a quick-witted, gripping and, at times, humorous film. Donning wigs of varying credibility (what is that on Mark Rylance's head?) and tackling a broad range of accents with different degrees of success, the large cast takes on the multi-faceted script with gusto, even when the story strains to weave in a reconciliation between activists Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne) and Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen). There are some genuinely shocking moments too, such as the attempted rape of a female protestor, and the abhorrent violent treatment of the unpresented Black Panther member Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). It could definitely be argued that the portrayal of the Black struggle is overlooked in favour of the White story, but I would suggest that the racial element could not be dealt with as effectively as it needs to be when viewed in the context of the overall trial, which is clearly Sorkin's main focus. As it stands, we're reminded yet again how little America has changed in terms of how Black citizens are viewed in the eyes of the law.

A COVID-19 Must-Watch?: Dodgy wigs and accents that take a tour of the known world aside, there's much to enjoy in Sorkin's courtroom romp. Peppered with the acerbic wit synonymous with the writer, and performed by a likeable, engaging cast, this fast-paced, twisty-turny drama makes for fun and informative viewing.

Comments

'Mary Queen of Scots' (15)

**** Arriving on the shores of Scotland, Mary Stuart moves to reclaim her title and her position as Queen. A Catholic and with a claim to the throne of England, she immediately poses a threat to Queen Elizabeth, a Protestant and the last of the House of Tudor. The relationship between Mary Stuart and Elizabeth Tudor is one that has fascinated historians and artists alike for centuries. In a history that's dominated by male sovereigns, Mary and Elizabeth ruled alongside each other until Elizabeth had her cousin executed - surely that means that the two hated each other? In his play which premiered in 1800, Friedrich Schiller portrays Mary's last days, and the fraught relationship between the two women - one that is far from the 'black and white' dynamic that you might expect. Since then, numerous historians have revisited this momentous moment and dissected the connection between the two. One such biography is John Guy's Queen of Scots: The True Life

'Riders of Justice' (15)

Director: Anders Thomas Jensen Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Andrea Heick Gadeberg, Lars Brygmann, Nicholas Bro Where can I watch?: Riders of Justice is in cinemas now Rating: 4/5 Review: There are some films that defy categorisation. For example, from watching the trailer for Riders of Justice, you might assume it to be some form of action comedy with a healthy dose of violence thrown in for good measure. However, Riders of Justice is actually far more complex than that, tackling themes of masculinity, mental health and even the existential alongside the occasional shoot out and grisly murder. At first, it appears to be about revenge - Mads Mikkelsen (looking particularly brutish) returns from a tour following the death of his wife in rail accident that could well be connected with a violent gang. Or was it all merely coincidence? Uncommunicative and unrelenting in his refusal to undertake therapy, Mikkelsen's Markus represents the archetypal army man - silent,

'Jojo Rabbit' (12A)

***** Stuck at home after injuring himself at a Hitler Youth weekend, Jojo discovers that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their house. The words 'comedy' and 'Nazis' are hardly bedfellows, and yet director/screenwriter Taika Waititi has somehow created a film that features both. Without doubt, it's a highly controversial movie, with Joker levels of division already popping up across the internet - even I have to admit that laughing at the opening montage in which a young boy practises his 'Heil, Hitler' felt quite uncomfortable - but I'd argue that this charming little oddity is probably the film we all need right now. Cards on the table - the film never laughs at the atrocities the Nazis committed. In fact, we see the world through Jojo's (delightful newcomer Roman Griffin Davis) eyes - a crazy, confusing place that's made all the more bizarre by the presence of his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi). Dubbed

Eleanor Reviews

Search This Blog