I purchased a new copy of this movie from a seller who listed it on one of the internet "for sale" sites; I had checked with my library and also with the video rental store in my area and neither one had the movie available. I had just finished reading the 400+ page book, "Hoffa," by Arthur A. Sloane, Ph.D. Mr. Sloan's book told both the good and the bad about Jimmy Hoffa. I learned by reading the book that Jimmy Hoffa typically worked 16-hour days, six and sometimes seven days a week. I also learned that Jimmy Hoffa neither smoked, drank liquor or ever cheated on his wife. The movie realistically portrayed Jimmy Hoffa as doing his utmost for his Teamster members. The movie also realistically portrayed that the two paramount concerns that Jimmy Hoffa had were for his family and for the rank-and-file members of his union.In my opinion, Jimmy Hoffa's downfall was that he chose to associate himself with organized crime, which in the end cost him his life.

I'm halfway through a biography about Jimmy Hoffa but couldn't wait to finish it before the chance to watch this bio-pic arose. I will still finish the book as I wasn't completely taken with this ambitious and sometimes imaginative film.My problem with it was principally the construction. While I accept the premise of grafting on an ending to resolve the mystery of Hoffa's last movements, the audience manipulation involved, which sees violence erupt from an unexpected source and dissolve into a Peckinpah-ish slow motion "dance of death", and repeated returns to the, in truth, less than compulsive build-up to the climax, only serves to slow down the momentum of the film. In addition, the lack of any definite kind of date-marking of events also served to confuse as the narrative jumps forward in time giving little indication of the time-spans involved.Danny DeVito's direction has some imaginative, if occasionally derivative, flourishes but for all that Hoffa is undoubtedly an interesting character, I felt the film dragged along until the final quarter. I would also take issue with the portrayal of Hoffa himself as it seemed to me the writing and direction wanted to significantly whitewash his shady dealings, especially the violence and other dirty tricks he orchestrated and employed for his own ends. I get that he may have been a hero to his members, but it almost seems that the film doesn't think he should have gone to jail at all. In addition, his celebrated encounters with his nemesis Bobby Kennedy fizzle out almost as quickly as they're introduced and as for the depiction of a family life to add some depth to his character, well, there was very little of that too.As for the acting, I'm no fan of the over-actor supreme Jack Nicholson, but he certainly looks the part, although, as ever, you can see him going through the gears for a big scene, usually involving him screaming the "F" word ad nauseum. De Vito himself does okay as his best bud who refuses to sell him out and JT Walsh performs well as the one-time lackey now leader, who does.While a watchable effort, I felt this movie overdid the questionable respect its title character was due right down to the lush, omnipresent orchestral score which I felt all told amounted to far too soft a treatment of such a contentious individual.

Hoffa is a film with two distinguished actors: Nicholson and DeVito. However, it is also a propaganda film of a rather vicious composition, with greatly reduces its quality. It tries to portray Jimmy Hoffa, one of the contemporary leading American union leaders. This is done in such a downgrading way, which is not substantiated by evidence, that it must be painful to all those who valued the man. In addition it implies that unions are interwoven with organized crime. It is hard to understand what motivated DeVito to direct and produce this film. Is it the desire to shock and provoke? Union busting? I don't know all the details (who does?), but imagine that Hoffa was an exceptional and controversial personality. In fact Stallone made a similar film "FIST" based on the life of Hoffa, which is much more sympathetic and nevertheless tactfully abstains from using Hoffas name. Let us first look at the facts, that emerge from the film Hoffa. Jimmy Hoffa started as a local union official with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a union of Transport personnel. He advocated a confronting method of collective bargaining, including an aggressive attitude of picket lines (which probably fitted the trade). In this way he succeeded in realizing results for the workers, although he also disregarded the orders of the national union board. There were also defeats. One time he lead a demonstration against a railway company, that employed a large bunch of thugs (private security?), who beat several of the demonstrators to death. Eventually he was elected president of the Teamsters. In the mean time a senatorial committee under the chairmanship of Robert kennedy accused him of having connections with communists and the mafia (a rather funny combination - but it is of coarse true that political figures can be affiliated with crime). Later Hoffa was accused of abusing the pension fund of the Teamsters, and convicted. However, the evidence is not really conclusive. Any way, after five years Hoffa was freed on parole. Shortly afterwards, he mysteriously disappeared. These appear to be the facts. Now the fictional (dramatized) additions of DeVito: at the start Nicholson (playing Hoffa) lighted the warehouse of a rebellious employer. Hoffa made a deal with the mafia, allowing them to rob the cargo of Teamster trucks. Hoffa managed the pension fund of the Teamsters together with the mafia. After his release from prison Hoffa wanted to regain power of the Teamsters and tried to murder one of its leaders. DeVito knows (so he tells us) that Hoffa was actually liquidated by his "former mafia mates". If for some reason you really truly hate unions, this is the film for you. Otherwise I recommend you to shun this portrayal. If you are just interested in collective bargaining or even sympathize with unionism, there are definitely more informative and realistic accounts. Try Salt of the Earth, Norma Rae, Bread and Roses, Harlan County War, Matewan, Man of Iron. Or take a look at the other films about social action, that I have reviewed here on IMDb.

Danny DiVitto, Jack Nicholson and a slick production design are the main positive contributors to this work. The story itself does make one ponder history, in that it attempts to make one rethink the world, as remembered by survivors of that era.While some still stand tall and proud and proclaim Hoffa as having been the greatest champion of working Americans ever to walk the land, others still believe he stole millions from the pension and welfare funds of those American workers he represented.Was he the victim of conniving teamsters, gangsters, and government agents? or was he his own worst enemy? I guess we'll never really know, but one thing is sure: The saying, "Gone as Hoffa," still applies today and probably will for at least two decades more.All in all? It's not suitable for Friday/Saturday/Family viewing and should be watched only if you're a dedicated Nicholson fan, DiVitto fan, or an American History buff.It rates a 5.6/10 from...the Fiend :.