Steal This Movie!

Steal This Movie! is a compelling and provocative biographical drama released in the year 2000. Directed by Robert Greenwald, the film illustrates the controversial and paradoxical life of social and political activist Abbie Hoffman, ardently and vividly portrayed by actor Vincent D'Onofrio. Janeane Garofalo plays Anita Hoffman, Abbie’s wife and fellow activist, while Jeanne Tripplehorn features as Johanna Lawrenson, Abbie's later life partner.

The title of the movie, Steal This Movie!, pays homage to Abbie Hoffman’s book, “Steal This Book”, a dissemination of his counterculture philosophies that include survival tactics, fighting the government, and maintaining a “Yippie” lifestyle. Like its namesake, the movie pragmatically explores Hoffman's revolutionary philosophies, his activism, and the ripple effects it had on his personal life and society as a whole.

Set against the backdrop of the volatile 1960s and 1970s, the film charts the journey of Hoffman as the flagbearer of American radicalism. D'Onofrio skillfully embodies the spirit and the zeal of Abbie Hoffman, known for his innovative protests and publicity stunts aimed at opposing the Vietnam War and advocating civil rights. The film spotlights Hoffman's role as the co-founder of the Yippie movement (Youth International Party) and goes on to display his foray into the infamous trial of the Chicago Seven, cumulative of the turbulent zeitgeist of the era.

However, it isn't just a pure depiction of the political landscape. Greenwald intertwines Hoffman's political journey with his personal life, adding depth and dimension to his character. The relationship between Hoffman and his wife, Anita, played by the astute and sincere Janeane Garofalo, is particularly noteworthy. It displays the couple's shared passion for activism, their tumultuous relationship, and the strain that sustained agitprop can impose on a marriage.

Steal This Movie! adds another layer of complexity when it steps into the 1970s, where Hoffman's activism got him into serious confrontations with the law. The film doesn't shy away from presenting the legal troubles that Hoffman faced, branded as an enemy of the State. As he goes underground, Jeanne Tripplehorn’s Johanna Lawrenson comes into the fold, providing Hoffman with a beacon of comfort during his fugitive years.

Here, the film also manages to show us Hoffman's battle with bipolar disorder, the topic of mental health being handled sensitively and humanely. Vincent D'Onofrio presents this facet of Hoffman’s life with a sensitivity that impeccably highlights the strengths and vulnerabilities of this complex character.

Director Robert Greenwald paints the story across a broad canvas, distinctly capturing the necessary elements, chaos and energy embedded in the 60s and 70s era. The movie is designed in a pseudo-documentary format, interspersing the narrative with faux interviews featuring notable figures like civil rights lawyer William Kunstler and activist and politician Tom Hayden. This technique gives an authentic touch to the narrative making the film feel more like an intimate conversation on Abbie Hoffman’s life.

In the end, Steal This Movie! is neither a thorough indictment nor a spirited defense of Abbie Hoffman’s controversial life and works. Instead, it serves as a document that showcases the life, intricacies, trials, and tribulations of a man who largely defined the counterculture era in America.

The performances by the movie's cast including Vincent D'Onofrio, Janeane Garofalo, and Jeanne Tripplehorn truly bring alive the spirit of this revolutionary tale. Their persuasive performances provide the ideal vehicle for gradually unfolding the rich and layered narrative, flavored with opposing sides of a passionate activist, a loving yet flawed husband, and a troubled individual grappling with personal demons.

To sum it up, Steal This Movie! is an engaging portrayal of Abbie Hoffman’s unconventional life and radical perspectives. It is a must-watch, not only for those interested in American political history but for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a story of impassioned activism, personal struggle, and relentless rebellion against the status quo.