The First Trailer for "The Trial of the Chicago 7" Brings Sorkin to the Oscar Race

Scene from The Trial of the Chicago 7

If there is one thing that the year 2020 will be remembered for, it's that it was politically fraught. No matter what's going on right now, there's some division in America right now that is causing conversation, forcing citizens to ask what the merit of this country truly is. It makes sense then that Netflix's latest Oscar-contending film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, comes with urgency and exploration of these themes in vivid and entertaining fashion. The first trailer has been released and, along with a surprising mix of actors, it feels like an energetic molotov cocktail through the system, finding ways to discuss hard issues with such vigor and soul. It looks like a great way to shake up this fall, and one can hope that it delivers.

In the grand scheme of things, there are few modern writers who are as revered as Aaron Sorkin. While he hasn't always been nominated for screenplays, the majority of his films have played well with Oscar pundits. He has a distinct cadence that has made him an essential voice in the medium, and one who has something important to say. Following the success of The Social Network, he has had several great screenplays over the past decade, including Moneyball, Steve Jobs, and also his first director credit with Molly's Game. Even if that film failed to attract awards attention, it still earned him an Oscar nomination for the screenplay, proving how well-liked he truly is.

If there's anything to be skeptical about with Sorkin, it's that he's not necessarily the most exciting director of his own work. In other people's hands, he's often been improved upon in ways that make his dialogue better. While I really like Molly's Game, I do think that it didn't fill me with the hope that he would be an essential new voice in writer-director fields. It's what keeps me leery about The Trial of the Chicago 7, even if it seems otherwise like a phenomenal and essential Oscar movie this Fall. Think about it. He's never been better than when he's in a courtroom, and now he gets to do it in a moment that feels vital and necessary to speak out for justice. It feels like something that is important to hear in 2020. Also, the fact that it's on Netflix doesn't hurt. After all, who is going to dominate this season besides streaming services?

To be honest, the stunt casting in this is brilliant. It features names like Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Frank Langella. In any other film, that would be a decent cast trying to shoot for Oscars. In the hands of Sorkin, it feels like he saw something in them that's worthy of celebrating. While it's still yet to be seen if this follows the same path as Molly's Game, mostly gaining attention in the home video market, there's a good chance that this all amounts to something substantial. If nothing else, it has some of the most attention-grabbing aspects of any film coming out so far.

Check out the trailer below:

Looks very good. Here's the plot description according to IMDb:

The story of 7 people on trial stemming from various charges surrounding the uprising at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

It's a story that feels even more relevant given the political turmoil going on in America right now. Some have argued that 2020 is very much like 1968 for how many wild tragedies are happening right now. Even then, it's exciting to think of these actors getting the chance to speak in Sorkin's dialogue and bring this story to life. One has to wonder what angles he'll find that makes this story not only interesting, but relevant to the modern moment. It has a lot of potential to be exciting, and the brief teaser already gives me hope.

If nothing else, The Trial of the Chicago 7 feels like one o the few Fall movies so far that is genuinely built in prestige so far. It looks good, and it has every piece in place to have Oscar conversations around. The actors could dominate the fields, and there's a good chance that this will break the writer-director through to a more significant audience. More than anything, I'm exciting to know that great-looking movies are on the way, and here's hoping that they deliver something substantial and fun. I know that we all could use something that makes us think and appreciate film as an art form. In a time where we can't go to theaters, it's great to have something like this available.