STEAL THIS MOVIE! (2000) ** I think it's a good film, in the sense of drawing major historical events to the attention of anyone who missed them the first time around: the (ongoing) government infiltration, harassment and persecution of any active anti-status quo organizations, most spectacularly the Black Panthers, the 1968 Democratic Convention (although it doesn't make much sense here, it's never framed into much context and it's far from clear what's going on or who's to blame), San Francisco at the end of the '60s. Maybe it tries to cover too much, maybe it doesn't work around its assumptions all that well, whichever the case...the Hollywood tradition of actors emoting more charisma than the historic principles they portray is here reversed, the sense of urgency and high drama of it all fails to translate... The music is good, but why not use the originals, the real ones? Public Use Doctrine would have allowed snippets and if they're really bold they could have just stolen the rest (maybe even bragging about it with flashing neon messages in the margins). I don't know all that much about Abbie Hoffman (and this doesn't inspire me to go do research), but I know enough to know that a more sympathetic portrayal than this is possible. It's alright.
back to Brilliant Observations on 2120 Films page, or Index
go back home, or send me email
Reviews won't do it any more! I need sustained brilliance! I want to buy your exciting new terrorist novel!
I've already read both of your novels. Thank you, they're amazing. Now I want to check out your weekly blog on everything