I think it is fair to say that Rubin's influence on the Beastie Boys during that phase is hard to underestimate. They would not have become what they are if it

I think it is fair to say that Rubin's influence on the Beastie Boys during that phase is hard to underestimate. They would not have become what they are if it weren't for Rubin and I think they acknowledge that in the movie and probably also the book. But it is also true that all of this happened roughly between 1984 and 1988, so a pretty short time frame in relation to both their careers. Also reading up a bit on Rubin's perspective I think he had quite an ambivalent view of the Bestie Boys as well.