Brilliant! But read the book BEFORE you see it!

Rating: 10/10 (25 September 2016)

I'll try to keep this short. I loved the movie. Oliver Stone and Joseph Gordon-Levitt nailed it. I've read the critics' reviews, and some are saying this movie could have been so much more. Like a political statement? They've completely missed the point. The movie is called "Snowden" for a reason. It's not called "PRISM" or "NSA", because it's about Snowden, himself. It's the answer to "who" and "why".
If you want to know what's in those files, you'll need to read "No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State" by Glenn Greenwald, the journalist who Snowden sought out to release the information. Hopefully people will read the book (the answer to "what"). There's very little overlap with the movie, but it will definitely help you understand the events in the film better. Also, the book is shocking -- like jaw-dropping shocking.
I'd read it about a year ago and thought they did a heck of a job recreating the scenes at the hotel, even if that part of the story was super-condensed. In the book, there's actually a lot more drama going on during that part of the story. But again, this movie was more about the lead-up to the leak, not so much the aftermath. My dad enjoyed the movie, but since he hadn't read the book, he said it was sometime difficult for him to follow. Even if you're unfamiliar with the details of the spying programs, you'll get an "executive summary" in the film.
It's a complex topic, and I think they simplified it as best anyone could. I hope people will read the book and see the movie. As again, they serve two different purposes, but both are necessary to get the complete picture. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a highly underrated actor, does such a good job playing Snowden that at times it feels like a documentary. If you liked Spy Game, Syriana, The Insider, and The Imitation Game, then you'll definitely enjoy Snowden. A solid 10/10
Edit: It seems trolls (probably paid) are voting down positive reviews of this film. That's not surprising given the subject matter, but it only shows their desperation. They don't want you to learn about this heroic person or the serious issue of unaccountable government and corporate surveillance. All the more reason people need to see this movie!