Review of Steal This Movie (2000) by Jennifer A — 12 Feb 2006

[b]Steal This Movie [/b]is based on the life story of one of the sixties most influential counter culture icons, Abbie Hoffman. The film, directed by Robert Greenwald, follows Hoffman's (Vincent D'Onofrio) evolution from civil rights worker, to his radical involvement in the Anti-War movement and finally his years underground fleeing the FBI as Barry Freed.

Janeane Garofalo plays his wife Anita, while Jeanne Tripplehorn plays Barry's love interest Johanna Lawrenson. Undoubtedly Abbie Hoffman was a fascinating character, one worthy enough for a feature film, however [b]Steal This Movie[/b] cannot do the subject matter justice.

The first problem is the uneven script. The second problem is an apparent lack of budget. Some of the scenes from the sixties seem so contrived and unauthentic that you seriously hope the small budget is to blame.

Lastly Vincent D'Onofrio is not at all convincing as Hoffman, especially in his earlier years. I watched this movie constantly wondering how it would have turned out in the hands of Oliver Stone instead of Mr.

Greenwald.