Unlike some others who have commented on Steal This Movie on IMDb, I don't know that much about Abbie Hoffman, aside from the obvious that he was a fervent protester in the late 60's, and enough of a symbol of the anti-war and anti-Government movement to get a bit part in Forrest Gump (he's the "war in Viet-****ing-Nam" guy). So as part entertainment and part information this film does its job adequately, even as I recognized the film's flaws. It's not without its plus side- if you're a fan of Vincent D'Onofrio (and to me he has an impressive career as a character actor from Full Metal Jacket to The Cell), this is one of the better treats of his career as he lets his hair down (literally) and portrays a man on a downward spiral. What's interesting about the story of Hoffman is how he keeps on with the same spirit even as he's forced into hiding in the 70's. D'Onofrio plays the chaotic, but focused, counterculture icon with enough energy and conviction to make up for the fact that it IS a movie-version of the character. As well as this, actors like Janeane Garofalo and Donal Logue are really playing versions of these people that are convincing up to a point. But the problems in the film are more to do with the direction by Robert Greenwald; he's not as imaginative in treating the material as he thinks he MIGHT be, even as he uses numerous visuals and cutaways in some montage scenes, and adds a typical soundtrack to the proceedings. The script doesn't feel too false in later scenes showing Hoffman's mental breakdown, but it isn't as convincing as I imagine the book(s) on and by Hoffman must be. It's a very intriguing subject (and I'm already a fan of the period) that's given an adequate cinematic treatment. What's disappointing though for those who come across it will not be what's there but what isn't; this is the kind of story and character that needs an Oliver Stone kind of treatment (this is close to it, more like a knock-off). B-

This was an overall good release but there were numerous flaws. The worst of which was the dumbing down of the characters, especially Abbie Hoffman. It made for good cinema and fit the mainstream's mental picture of Abbie, but was quite misleading. Abbie's last wife, Johanna Lawrenson, was grossly misrepresented as apolitical and little more than a bubble-headed groupie. Both were excellent organizers and people. Talking to both was inspiring. It's sad that a film from a better source misrepresented them. However, that said, the film has value for providing a visual picture of the times and occurrences of Abbie's life. Abbie was one of the most significant of the 60s cast of characters and this film contributes to keeping his legacy alive.

While the film itself is an unbalanced and tepid depiction of this "revolutionary" anti-war personality, filled with mediocre performances and at times incoherent composition, I found its content to be the most off-putting aspect of this work. As a self-professed (though anarchist-leaning) nihilist, I know unfortunately little about this figure highly relevant to the politics to which I most closely adhere, and the subject of this film hardly merits the accolades attributed to the late, now fabled Mr. Hoffman (unless, of course, this movie provides an accurate presentation of someone by which the Leftist community has been ultimately duped).All the while professing a love of humanity and hatred of the power-mongers that would hold nations (such as Vietnam) in thrall for their own egoistic ends, this man subjected his wife, child, girlfriend (with whom he knew great happiness while the family he abandoned barely scraped by), comrades and politically-sympathetic donors to great hardship, financial and otherwise, to keep him out of prison and away from the misery that the many for which he supposedly fought knew only too well. He and his band of Yippies propelled themselves to the forefront of history and celebrity with seemingly enjoyable, iconoclastic guerilla theatre, and other pranks that served to increase the popularity and egos of the socially conscious participants, but to what end? The Vietnam war raged on amidst their gamboling, and the poor and oppressed continued (and continue) to languish under the same system of capitalism that existed before such bright ideas were engendered in the minds of these fighters. At least, his name will go down in history, as a man that achieved great renown, under the guise of fighting a system in which he ultimately made no dents, while his two mistresses suffered and a group of privileged, Jewish intellectuals thought they were making difference by getting high and getting mad...

First I have to ask, Vincent, what were you going for with that accent, New Yawk, Bahston, Joisey? Sounded like a combination of all but it distracted me from your dialogue. Should have just played Vincent playing Abby.Second, there was a review here that should be removed as the guy that wrote it is so off base I think he saw a different movie. Dude, FYI. it's Jerry Lefcourt. Look into it. Third, Abby was kicked (really he was kicked) off the stage at Woodstock by Townsend during the Who performance. Abby was the type of guy you wanted to kick. He was all about Abby.This film is a romanticism of the truth. Don't steal it; steal Medium Cool instead.