Mixing documentary footage with animated recreations of courtroom testimony (voiced by a stellar cast of actors), filmmaker Brett Morgen's Chicago 10 is a curiously compelling take on the trial of the “Chicago 7,” who organized the now-historic protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The “10” of the title comes from adding arrested protester and Black Panther leader Bobby Seale, as well as defense attorneys William Kunstler and Leonard Weinglass, to the original seven. One can't help but draw parallels between the events of ‘68 and the current war in Iraq, and the film seems intended as a rallying cry (for a generation that seems woefully reluctant to protest), sacrificing deeper historical context for a youth-targeted revival of Yippie passion featuring ‘60s music covered by contemporary artists (Beastie Boys, Eminem, Rage Against the Machine). Morgen does present some still-potent archival footage from that turbulent time 40 years ago, while intercutting the trial as animated farce, freely interpreting courtroom transcripts through motion-capture animation performances that canonize Abbie Hoffman (voiced by Hank Azaria) as a court jester and Yippie provocateur, while poking fun at cantankerous Judge Julius Hoffman (the late Roy Scheider). In light of the trial's obvious absurdity, Morgen's daring approach (however flawed or imbalanced) is arguably valid, even if it stretches the definition of documentary. Recommended, overall. (J. Shannon)
Chicago 10
Paramount, 90 min., R, DVD: $29.99 Volume 23, Issue 6
Chicago 10
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