Did we change our minds and join the parade? How many Oscar noms will it get? Can it go the distance? What does our lawyer have to say? ...It’s our enormous Oscar Sprint Profile movie review of Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7.

What Is This Show? - Top of Show

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO SEVEN NONSPOILER REVIEW:

Background/Expectation/Premise - 1:40

Script Thoughts - 7:25

(Subplot More Important Than The Main Plot - 10:33)

PERFORMANCES:

Who’s The Lead? - 14:15

(and Why This May REALLY Be About Chadwick Boseman)

Top 3 Supporting Performances - 17:12

Rylance/Strong/JGL - 21:18

Langella + Others - 24:04

OSCARS LENS:

Cinematography - 28:47

Original Song - 30:00

Score + Others - 30:53

Sound Design - 32:35

Best Picture - 33:45

Editing - 36:14

Original Screenplay - 37:24

HOW MANY NOMS? - 38:50

SPOILER WARNING - 39:43

SPOILER-FILLED REVIEW:

Mike1 Flips Out As a Lawyer - 41:41

Both Mikes Flip Out As Film Critics - 47:30

Sorkin’s View - 50:50

The Line of the Movie Should’ve Been The Ending - 53:40

Best: Best Sorkin Ever? - 56:43

Lowlight: Excuse Me, Friend… - 1:00:17

Rest of the Bests - 1:02:43

(Lowlight - Universally Beloved Lenny Bruce - 1:04:10)

Lowlight: Hiding The Smoking Gun - 1:08:20

Rest of the Worsts - 1:10:51

(and Why AlsoMike Blames Rick and Morty)

A Victim of Sorkin’s Own Greatness? - 1:14:26

FINAL GRADES - 1:18:44

Socials/Your Homework - 1:20:38

What’s Next From MMO/Words of Wisdom - 1:21:21

The Trial of the Chicago 7 has been a major subject of our last few Oscar Race Checkpoint episodes and for good reason. So this OSP movie review episode has a lot to answer, and we set up the show based on what we’ve said previously. But most importantly, our Oscar Sprint Profile reviews are designed to analyze the award prospects of this movie before we break down the plot.

So our non-spoiler section jumps off by recapping the pundit parade problem and what the Netflix effect could be for this movie. Then we discuss our love for Aaron Sorkin and how this film compares with the rest of his filmography before looking at the script, direction, performances, and all the production values through an Oscar Lens. How do we power rank the performances and which production values will go so far as a nomination? And moreover, where can this film contend this spring?

Now as we dive into spoilers, Mike 1 is able to use his law degrees to help us lay people understand the logistics of the courtroom proceedings, and both of us have some qualms with the work as film critics. But ultimately, there are a great many best scenes to celebrate and praise before we come back around to a few more issues and close out this review. Maybe we started off the month aggravated and skeptical at the reception of this film. But we do give a measured and balanced review in this OSP.

Stay tuned as we continue the review season before the awards season. We’ll be devoting non-spoiler episodes to a few more film festival screened contenders like Minari and One Night In Miami before we get back to James Bond, enjoy some Halloween horror movie specials, and then bring some guests back to the program to overview the festivals.

As always, let us know what you think about The Trial of the Chicago 7. We’re at MMandOscar on Twitter, and we are on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and Gmail. You can subscribe / rate / review / like / share / & hear us on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Tune In, Spotify, and just about wherever you might listen. We’re Mike, Mike, & Oscar, and we’re making awards season year round, without the stuffiness. Thanks for clicking play.