The Trial of the Chicago 7
For most films of this calibre (based on true events of a political nature), some might find it intimidating at first to dive into, without knowing what the story is, how it played out and how it ended. I know I certainly had this feeling within the first 5-10 minutes or so. But that’s the thing… only for those initial 10 min.
Aaron Sorkin did his job really well. We’re placed in the dynamic of the film quite early. And while Aaron has taken a risk to confuse the audience about the many characters, their names and their role on the story, don’t you worry. Don’t give up just yet. Just sit back and let the film roll. The clouds will clear pretty soon.
I had no idea what I am getting myself into, but I can tell you – the story is told with phenomenal precision, a spotless sense of humour and great respect. The pace is just right, backed by a fantastic score (Thank you Daniel Pemberton, once again you prove your worth) and a distinctive editing signature. What a delight!
The characters are diverse and well-developed. Everyone had a spot to shine and boy, did they shine like the stars they are – I’m talking to you Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeremy Strong and yes, even Frank Langella. What a captivating, exciting and emotional performance did they give us! Not for a second did I look away.
Every word was carefully placed and selected. Every shot meaningful. Every idea keenly presented. So many key and contemporary topics regarding freedom of speech, racism, war, corruption, and indeed politics have been addressed and questioned. You may think there’s plenty of films about them already, but they never go out of fashion and keep being interesting especially when films such as this bring new insight into them. But above all I thought this film to be about human nature. This in essence is the underlying theme and as humans, we are destined to relate. In all seriousness, after watching I would like to ask you one question: What would you have done?
And yes, I cannot help but say that I guarantee this film is going to the Oscars. Not sure we have a lead role here, possibly Sacha who was outstanding, but I also sense a nomination for Eddie and for Mark. I certainly want to include the screenplay in the nominations, along with the music, the editing and the directing. And after naming all of these categories you have to sense there a ‘Best Picture’ nomination brewing.
I liked the fact that practically all of the original songs and numbers have been both recreated and reinvented. That’s Disney for you. I think they cracked the code for making successful sequels (don’t make sequels; make sequels=remakes). It was probably also very nice for parents in the audience to notice all the references to the original movie. They brought Dick Van Dyke back to sing and dance again. That was something.
Personally, and this might as well be just me, but Emily Blunt was very entertaining to watch as Mary Poppins. I definitely felt a difference from Julie Andrews’ Mary, but that wasn’t bad in any way I think. Considering children nowadays are probably never going to meet the old Mary. I loved her Britishness, in fact, I loved the Britishness of the entire movie. I literally kept thinking to myself: ‘what’s the next cute British phrase that she’s going to say?’. That was probably a great part of the comedy on its own.
And overall, there’s only one thing that made me so very sad – NO ONE said ‘Goodbye’ to her! I was quite shocked really. I mean yes, the Banks’ family didn’t say ‘Goodbye’ to Mary in the original as well, but Bert did and he even said ‘Don’t stay away too long’. That made for such a bright and hopeful ending against the grey gloomy background of 1910 London. And here, she just left… that was painful. Wonder what children thought of that.
1001 Movies 