Taking Woodstock (2009)

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

As I had just turned 10 the summer of Woodstock and lived on the West Coast, I was not able to go.... but have a fascination with the festival even now. I love the documentary "Woodstock", made in 1970, which is full of musical performances, interviews with attendees and with organizers. Some reviews of this movie complain that "Taking Woodstock" does not include enough music, however if the music is what you yearn to see/hear, do enjoy the documentary. Of the 30 or so bands who performed at Woodstock, fifteen or so are included in the documentary. If you want to learn the history of the event, this movie is ideal. I especially enjoyed seeing the clever ideas and ability to create a phenomenon. To think they were not sure if many wold attend... had some horrid weather... financial difficulties (these are alluded to in the documentary as well)... experienced nay- sayers and bad press... and yet, it truly ended as three days of Peace, Love, and Music.

I understand "Taking Woodstock" uses a highly disputed account of Woodstock as its source material, but I'm okay with that. It's still a winsome, fun, gentle, and often lovely portrait of odd people who don't quite know what to make of each other, but still find a way to create an idyllic experience.There are a lot of bits and pieces in "Taking Woodstock," and the structure is loose and almost episodic. Some broad comedy coexists uneasily with smaller, satirical scenes and moments of quiet drama, and Demetri Martin, while always watchable, doesn't always let us in when we need him to. But there's a certain tension in the movie as events ramp up to the inevitable, and the huge cast of unpredictable characters keeps things lively. And then we realize that the movie isn't about events as much as it's about change - both the cultural change of a very strange time in American history and the personal change that we all go through.The best scene happens late in the movie, as Elliot (Martin) finally makes his way to the concert and encounters a young hippie couple. Without giving anything away, I can say it's one of the best - and most accurate - scenes of its kind (it's both beautiful and creepy in more ways that one), and it's the true climax of "Taking Woodstock." Elliot has spent his young life trying to create moments for other people, and he finally is allowed to let go and experience transcendence for himself. And there's a definite sense he will never be the same.Don't expect a movie about Hendrix and Santana (or even Sha Na Na). Don't expect a wild comedy or a heavy drama. Don't expect anything, really, and you might have a great time with "Taking Woodstock." And in a way, that's kind of the point of the movie.

I'm not sure if this film seemed warm and satisfying because of all the Japanese horror/thrillers I've been watching or because it actually is, but I'm fairly certain it isn't the Japanese films that gave me this impression. As you can read anywhere, this film is an Ang Lee dramatic comedy based on a memoir called 'Taking Woodstock...'. Eliot Tiber's Jewish parents are running a run-down motel in Bethel, NY that is on its last legs. Eliot is trying to become an interior designer and artist in Greenwich village in 1969, the Summer of Love while pouring his earning into his parents motel. As luck would have it, Eliot sets up a deal with the organizers of the Woodstock Festival to use farmland in Bethel as the staging area since they were already booted from their original Walkill venue. Now about the film itself. I don't want to give away to much of the fun of course. But for one, there is a nice understated warm humor in this film. I think that is the main perk about Eliot's character. He's understated, warm, and sort of down-to-earth qualities which makes his acting job and his character likable; you're rooting for him and laughing at his misadventures from the crazy domineering Jewish mother, to his drama of dealing with half a million hippies descending on his small town because of him. The wacky ensemble in this film from the transgender ex-Marine Vilma, to Eliot's shell-shocked Vietnam Vet Billy, to the hippie theatre troupe make for memorable viewing, lots of laughs, and a great entertaining time. Now if you aren't particularly fond of hippie stuff, you'll probably still enjoy this film. The Woodstock festival is more of a backdrop for Eliots family and personal struggles which he deals with in funny and interesting ways throughout the festival. I suppose though this movie is fairly nostalgic about all things hippie despite their naivety, and ineffectual politics, but the movie is more about youth, self-realization, and friendship, than hippiedom per se, and that is why I liked this film. By the way, if you want to see a movie about the music at Woodstock, this film doesn't have hardly enough on the music of the festival. Just a heads up. Enjoy.

That's like asking Leni Riefenstahl to direct a film about Israel....I'm doing my best to enjoy this as I grew up in Sullivan County, I new Max Yasgur as did everyone in the area, I worked in a local hotel during the Festival, my sister attended the Festival, and this has no feeling of the mood, the people, the locals, the music, the madness, the spontaneity, how everyone worked together to keep the 1/2 million strong safe and sound....and the music! Where is the music? How can you think - yes I use the word think - how can you think about making a movie about Woodstock without a soundtrack? The depiction of the immigrant mother from Russia is ridiculous, almost insulting - not because of her actions, but she doesn't make it. Give me a break! What a pity - that many of my younger friends liked this film but hey they were too young to appreciate and really remember Woodstock....see the documentary - it is great! The mud the rain the people the music the music the music and Swami Satchidananda blessing it all!