Steal This Movie (2000)

Heartbreakingly Anachronistic
This movie, released in 2000, is so much a product of its time that it's heartbreaking to watch it now. Onscreen Vincent D'Onofrio, as Abbie Hoffman, talks about changing the perception of protesters from troublemakers, as the government had sought to portray them, to patriots and heroes bent on sacrificing their freedom and even their very lives to protect America from corrupt politicians. In the bonus features, the cast and crew and surviving real life characters talk about how much Abbie accomplished in turning America around, even saying at one point that "there could never be another Viet Nam."

Ah, the sweet folly of pre-9/11. Little did they know how little permanent change had really been accomplished. They could scarcely imagine how thoroughly their legacies would be sullied and how ascendant would be their enemies. The cast appears smug in their interviews, seen from the perspective of today, because they thought they had won the war.

But they didn't.

pretty balanced: he admits to arrogance and buffoonery, but inspired change
This got me to re-think Abbie, whom I saw more as a provcateur than a politician of substance (in stark contrast to many of the activists in SDS, imho). What I remember most about him is Steal This Book, which is the perfect form of anarchy for affluent adolescents (us) in the suburbs (see the chapter "monkey warfare" for a guide to some of our misdeeds). I barely recalled that he was one of the Chicago 7.

He appeared far more self-aware in this film than I would have given him credit for, and it is clear that he actually did stand for some things, such as using the tools of the media to promote democracy and get out of Vietnam. In this fine film, you get to view his entire career, from the civil rights works he did, which I didn't know about, to his swan song as a local activist. It is a bit glib on his manic depression and its treatment, I found, but that also rounded out his portrait without creating an idol. The acting is genuinely excellent and the evocation of the time synches with my memory of the 60s: it was a great time to be an adolescent, I mean, what better thing to do than ditch high school as a protest? While much of it seems so callow today, it really is the last time America was interesting politically: as Abbie says, we stopped a war and had fun. Of course, the 1968 Chicago convention, which my parents took me to see, was a turning point in American politics, as the middle class were disgusted by the Dems, which added to the GOP's momentum as a result of civil rights alienating the South's democratic party. That is not really analysed in the film, but then, it is not intended as poli-sci I suppose.

Warmly recommended. It is a wonderful slice of history.

Steal This Book; Woodstock Nation - It all comes to life!
It seems a long time ago ... the 60s do. I grew up then, protested the War then, and did quite a few things then that seem a bit silly to me now. Today, as we are wont to say, 9/11 has changed everything. This old "hippie," though I look more or less the same, is now undeniably, and proudly even, a conservative in most every way.

Watching this film made me realize that it wasn't really all that silly. I admired Abbie Hoffman then; I admire him still today. He is not today's "liberal." There was no agenda. It was all heart.

We miss you, Abbie. This wonderful time-capsule of a film made that all too clear. Left me with a tear in both eyes, and a lump in my throat. Vincent D'Onofrio is perfect!

Steal the book; now steal the movie!