Too many fans seem to be blown away

Not even bad in a good way

Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

Admittedly, I didn't know who Abbie Hoffman was or what the Youth International Party was until I was in my very late teens – early 20s.I saw him in different programs I watched but I never truly knew his impact. I was a bit worried about watching anyone portray him in a film. Vincent D'Onofrio is a fantastic actor but I stayed away from this movie for a long time because I'm always weary about reenactments for dramatic effect. I never want to confuse fiction for reality. So many do that on both sides of the political spectrum that I like to know the facts. It is for that reason, biopics always make me a bit uneasy.It was the cast that influenced my decision to watch it. The film includes Janeane Garofalo, Kevin Corrigan, Donal Logue, Kevin Pollack,and Jeanne Tripplehorn. It doesn't get better than that.The film opens as Hoffman (D'Onofrio) while in hiding is talking to a reporter recounting his involvement with the movement. It starts when he's helping African Americans register to vote and is beaten by a cop.Fast forward to him meeting his wife Anita (Garofalo) on a bus where he and his friend Stew Albert (Donal Logue) hold the passengers up with water pistols.Anita is also interviewed by the reporter who believes that the government has better things to do than track down Hoffman. She then recounts their run-ins with the law, COINTELPRO and how deep the resentment of Hoffman is.The entire movie was done in a realistic and careful manner that I appreciated. I loved the real footage that was shown while Hoffman states "Do you remember 1968? They killed the good guys as they were about to elect the bad guys…." It's such a powerful and honest statement. This is nearly 50 years later and I can taste how close the revolution actually felt for the protesters.I hate when people look at the counterculture movement as some drug-induced idiocy to disregard. It was well thought out, the risks were very real and when the Vietnam Conflict ended and the mindset of people didn't change is it any wonder why revolutionaries like Phil Ochs and Hoffman are no longer with us? Call it bi-polar or any other mental illness you want to, at the end of the day – I believe they died of rightful disappointment. What they gave their life for was dead. How do you live after that? Why would you want to?Kevin Corrigan portrays Jerry Rubin, founding member of YIP and good friend of Hoffman. Though the two disagree on methods at times, the love and shared beliefs the two have is always apparent. In one scene,Rubin is being carried by protesters as he speaks against the war and starvation with such emotion and genuine heart. The next scene is a short black-and-white scene of military tanks and a "welcome to Chicago" sign on fire. In that quick transition the momentum and feeling of the film changes. That happens throughout. It's a roller-coaster ride of wanting the change, believing in the change,feeling the beauty and connection between all of those in agreement, but on the flip – still seeing people die, the war going on,sabotage by government officials, denial of permits to protest without reason –the list goes on and on.This movie does everything right and I'm glad that I watched it. It's the kind of film that people who have a conscience need to watch. People are still being prosecuted for protesting. People are still being listened in on by the government, framed and detained without reason and when you bring it up there are still people saying "You're paranoid."Where is the outrage that was so prevalent in the 60s? My guess is silenced by big pharmacy and brainwashing. When people care more about who wins a show like The Voice than who is elected in office, the disillusionment of the government is so high that we are basically admitting to being helpless and not wanting to fight to change it. Where is the fight?Where are the Abbie Hoffmans and the Jerry Rubins? Where did they go? And why am I a hypocrite who sits watching this movie rather than risking any personal harm to fight? If I protest I could get arrested, if I get arrested I'll lose my insurance license, if I lose my license I can't afford the house I'm buying. It's the game and I lost, for now.That said, movies like this need to be made. We need to remember the 60s and we need to learn from it. This film brought me to that place.The acting as can be expected is great all around. There are moments that are absolutely hilarious like when Hoffman and Rubin are in court wearing judicial robes and are ordered to take them off only to reveal police uniforms. Then there are moments that anger and frustrate. There are gut-wrenching scenes of real violence and re- enacted violence that at 5 AM are making me scream at my TV. It's pretty easy to get angry when you see rights being trampled on.Just watch this movie.

As far as I know, "Steal This Movie" was the first movie that focused on the FBI's persecution of political activists in the '60s. Specifically, it looks at Yippie founder Abbie Hoffman (Vincent D'Onofrio) and his cohorts. As it was, we were very good friends with Stew Albert (who died last year).The movie does a very good job looking at everything, complete with a soundtrack including Jimi Hendrix, Donovan, Phil Ochs, and John Lennon. There are obviously many sources of information about the '60s and everything associated therewith. For more info about the FBI's dirty tricks, there's "A People's History of the United States" and "Lies My Teacher Told Me".Nixon must spin in his grave every time that someone watches this.

I truly love this movie. It teaches a younger generation about a time, not too long ago, when people were able to give up everything because of a cause. It is inspiring and I recommended this to all who are a fan of history and will be entertained by an interesting life. Vincent D'Onofrio is a very talented actor and if you only know him from Law & Order, you may be surprised by his role in this movie. He brings a sense of innocence and humor to the role of Abbie Hoffman that allows the uninitiated to develop compassion for a great leader and complicated man. I felt that having watched this movie I have learned a lot. How the government behaved towards all progressive movements during the 60s and 70s. How an individual can come "undone", even while trying to bring about social change and that it is important to speak out against injustice no matter the cost.

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.