HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / MOVIES

'The Trial of the Chicago 7': Is it time for Sacha Baron Cohen's Oscar win? Fans say he 'steals the show'

Perhaps the best comical moments belonged to Hoffman but so did many of the movie's serious moments when we see just how dedicated Hoffman was to the causes he was fighting for

Aaron Sorkin's 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' — which is now streaming on Netflix — is arguably one of the best films of the year. Based on the historical Chicago conspiracy trial of 1969, Sorkin's film features the infamous trial of the seven defendants — Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines and Lee Weiner — in addition to Bobby Seale, the eighth defendant for whom a mistrial was declared. The eight people have been charged under the Rap Brown Law aka the Anti-Riot Act with the intent to incite a riot during the protests in Chicago when the Democratic National Convention of 1968 was going on.

For many viewers, 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' is possibly up there with the works he is best remembered for like 'The West Wing', 'The Newsroom' and 'The Social Network'. What sets these works apart is the use of quick, witty banter between the characters – something Sorkin excels at like nobody's business. It's what makes 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' more than just a historical retelling of the 1969 trial, beyond the fact that it is the way Sorkin makes the characters come to life, something most writers are not capable of. Of course, nearly (if not) all the characters were perfectly cast and none seemed to be better cast than Sacha Baron Cohen, as the hilarious Abbie Hoffman.

Perhaps the best comical moments belonged to Hoffman, but so did many of the movie's serious moments when we see just how dedicated Hoffman was to the causes he was fighting for. When Cohen as Hoffman speaks of the contempt his government has for him or for being on trial for his thoughts or even when he and Eddie Redmayne's Tom Hayden come together towards the end of the film, the actor effortlessly brings Hoffman back to life.

Of course, many viewers felt the same and while the next edition of the Academy Awards could be a while away, they are sure of one thing: it's time for Cohen to get another nomination for his work in Sorkin's latest film. One viewer wrote, "@SachaBaronCohen was great in #TrialoftheChicago7. The cast was all good, but @SachaBaronCohen was able to show #AbbieHoffman with depth instead of the usual circus clown." Another tweeted, "#TrialoftheChicago7 is great. Eddie Redmayne just can’t keep away from the riled student trope - JGL does JGL - and Sacha Baron Cohen steals the show. Kinetic editing and sharp repartee elevates an otherwise common courtroom drama into Sorkin territory, all too relevant today."

One fan wrote, "Defense Lawyer to Abbie before trial starts - Are you stoned? Abbie - Yeah, you? This guy's great! Sacha Baron Cohen is perfect for this role #TrialOfTheChicago7." Another tweeted, "#TrialoftheChicago7 will get Sacha Baron Cohen an acting nomination making him a TWO time Academy Award Nominee." A fan opined, "It’s perhaps a little too impressed with itself, but I thought #TrialoftheChicago7 was great. Sacha Baron Cohen as Abbie Hoffman was the highlight for me."

'The Trial of the Chicago 7' is now streaming on Netflix.