Taking Woodstock
A Generation Began In His Backyard
From Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain) comes Taking Woodstock, the comedy inspired by the true story of Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin) and his family, who inadvertently played a pivotal role in making the famed Woodstock Music and Art Festival into the happening that it was. When Elliot hears that a neighboring town has pulled the permit on a hippie music festival, he calls the producers thinking he could rum up some much-needed business for his parent's run-down motel. Three weeks later, half a million people are on their way to his neighbor's farm in White Lake, New York, and Elliot finds himself swept up in a generation-defining experience that would change his life-and American culture-forever.
Member Reviews
not a hit - littlemonkeys
I found this movie exceedingly slow and dry, and really hard to get into. I was interested in seeing more about the woodstock concert, and had much higher expectations for this movie, and found it hard to watch it to the end. I usually love Ang Lee, even if for just the cinematography, but this movie is not one I would recommend.Worthwile film for Woodstock Fanatics, but it is never resolved. - jmunds
This is a film I did look forward to seeing as I am interested in the performance art qulaity of the festival. And though I found the build up to the festival entertaining, I found my attention lagging when the festival actually began. Liev Schrieber wa delighful in this film and there are many fun parts of this film. But I found the overall piece missing something, and I wonder it is because of the none focus of the festival itself, I am aware that in the memoir he missed much of the actual festival. But by his absence we miss the achievement that the fight of the opening is never resolved. But it is a worthwile film to those who are Woodstock fanatics.Taking Woodstock - AppsScraps
Ang Lee directs his take on the behind-the-scenes story of the family that made Woodstock happen - the Tibers. Centre stage is Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin), the gay son of Jake and Sonia who returns from his career in New York City to offer the Woodstock organizers his town, tiny Bethel, NY, as ground zero for the hippie invasion. While you never see the concert, you do hear it, and there are shots reminiscent of Michael Wadleigh's classic 1970 film, Woodstock. Sadly amid all the noise there are but two standout performances - kudos to Imelda Staunton who works wonders as Elliot's over-the-top-Jewish-mother-from-hell, Sonia; and Liev Schreiber as Elliot's ex-marine transvestite chief of security, Vilma. Highbrow reviewers will claim anyone not liking this film 'didn't get it'. Wrong; Ang Lee needs to try a toke or three on some weed and to learn to be less crafted in his film-making. Taking Woodstock is an exceptionally well made film, yes, but it completely lacks any vibe or heart and is about as groovy as watching paint dry. A depressingly slow and exceedingly boring 'tribute' to Woodstock, this soulless venture will make you glad you missed the concert. Avoid.
My rating 2 out of 10.
Member Reviews
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not a hit - littlemonkeys
I found this movie exceedingly slow and dry, and really hard to get into. I was interested in seeing more about the woodstock concert, and had much higher expectations for this movie, and found it hard to watch it to the end. I usually love Ang Lee, even ...Worthwile film for Woodstock Fanatics, but it is never resolved. - jmunds
This is a film I did look forward to seeing as I am interested in the performance art qulaity of the festival. And though I found the build up to the festival entertaining, I found my attention lagging when the festival actually began. Liev Schrieber wa delighful ...Taking Woodstock - AppsScraps
Ang Lee directs his take on the behind-the-scenes story of the family that made Woodstock happen - the Tibers. Centre stage is Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin), the gay son of Jake and Sonia who returns from his career in New York City to offer the Woodstock ...