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The famous stage where Jimi Hendrix, the Who, and Crosby, Stills and Nash played before a half-million people in 1969 is never closer than a mile or so away in Taking Woodstock. Similarly, some of the familiar live music in Michael Wadleigh's Oscar-winning, 1970 documentary Woodstock is never louder than a distant echo in this period film by Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain). That's because Taking Woodstock is not really about the music, but about a little-known figure who had everything to do with making the Woodstock concert festival happen. Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin) is the very young president of a chamber of commerce in the Catskills town where he grew up. Burdened with the failure of his parents (amazing performances by Imelda Staunton and Henry Goodman) to make a go of a crummy motel, Elliot is making himself crazy trying to be a dutiful son and civic leader.
His trials are both lightened and intensified by an accident of history. Elliot sees a newspaper article explaining how the organizers of an outdoor rock concert have lost the use of a nearby field they were counting on. In short order, he makes contact with the promoters, putting them together with dairy farmer Max Yasgur (Eugene Levy), who has plenty of available pasture for rent. He also sets up the groovy but cryptic boss of the whole enterprise, Michael Lang (astute work by Tony Award-nominated Jonathan Groff, a talent to watch), as well as Lang's movers and shakers, at the motel. In no time, the Tibers' life becomes a three-ring circus, while a steady stream of young people clog the roads on their way to a legendary concert. Lee, a master at creating precise milieus for the varied stories he tells (Sense and Sensibility, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), gets the look and texture and energy of a counterculture Happening in 1969 close to perfect. He also makes Taking Woodstock look vintage, bleaching colors to approximate the tones of many a big movie from that era, and using a split-screen to challenge the idea of the camera's singular perspective. In the end, Taking Woodstock is itself a pretty far-out version of a heartwarming coming-of-age tale--Elliot's coming-of-age, that is, as the excellent Martin's boy-man looks beyond that motel and discovers a big, wide world out there, just waiting for him. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
Comedy drama from celebrated director Ang Lee, based on the memoir 'Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, a Concert, and a Life' by Elliot Tiber and Tom Monte. The year is 1969 and Elliot Teichberg (Demetri Martin) has had to move back to work in his parents' run down Catskills motel after an unsuccessful attempt at interior design in New York City. With the bank threatening to shut down the motel at the same time a neighbouring town pulls the permit on a hippy music festival, Eliot comes up with a plan to save his family's business. Seeing the potential to generate customers for the motel, Elliot calls the festival producers but things turn out to be much bigger than he expected when, just three weeks later, over half a million people make their way to his neighbour's farm. Elliot now discovers himself caught up in a generation-defining adventure after which his life will never be the same again.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Even though this was recently made it captures the time period very well indeed.I was not at Woodstock,because I was in the UK at the time,but it was similar Hippy scene over here too,all innocent,exciting time when music, art,fashion and most important,a raising of human consciousness was happening very quickly.The late sixties were a very important to the planet,the youngters broke away from the old order,and Woodstock helped to do that, ending the Vietnam war, on a personal note... bringing Santana to the world,without Bill Graham, who took an active part in the Woodsock event,they would have never been the international success they still are today.
Thanks Bill,RIP.
I have watched this 3 times so far,its very funny,lighthearted and educational there is no music on the Woodstock stage,but plays in the background at times.
The acting is brilliant,and shows very well how it really was at that time in the States and eventually throughout the whole world.
Highly recommended especially for people who are old enough to be in the Hippy movement at that time,if you weren't then perhaps it wont mean so much,but is still a good movie to see.
There are some good bonus scenes too.
Thanks Bill,RIP.
I have watched this 3 times so far,its very funny,lighthearted and educational there is no music on the Woodstock stage,but plays in the background at times.
The acting is brilliant,and shows very well how it really was at that time in the States and eventually throughout the whole world.
Highly recommended especially for people who are old enough to be in the Hippy movement at that time,if you weren't then perhaps it wont mean so much,but is still a good movie to see.
There are some good bonus scenes too.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By daisycutter
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first saw this film on Sky a few months ago and loved it - probably due to being part of the 'Woodstock generation' and always regretting not actually being there. Although there is very little of the actual concert (one very distant shot)the film accuratly captures the mood of the slow death of the dreary repressive 50's and the birth of the new culture. Nothing much happens but it happens very beautifully. This is a very gentle and moving film and I highly recomend it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By j.r
Format:DVD
For anyone who's ever had a good experience at a music festival, you'll love Taking Woodstock. It's such an upbeat film, you can't help but love it. The film is mostly about the organisation of the event and Elliot(Demitri Martin) experiences with the various people arriving. The film shows as all real Music Festival people know, that it's not all about the music but just getting involved with the masses of people. Elliot doesn't even get close to a main stage yet has a life changing experience just by being a part of the event. The film has a fantastic cast that includes Eugene Levy, Emile Hirsh and Liev Schrieber and Demitri Martin who is superb in the lead role.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feel Good, Light Touch Gay
New respect for the hippy generation from watching this story inspired by a true tale. Better than Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain from the gay perspective, with Demetri Martin... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dr Horreur
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not to be overlooked!!!
I am absolutely mystified at the indifferent or lukewarm reviews this movie had from professional critics on its UK release and furious with myself for having missed seeing it in... Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2010 by G. V. Cherian
2.0 out of 5 stars
Slow, overly long and ultimately disappointing.
Considering the high quality cast this is a really disappointing film. The plotline is fairly good idea though the story often plods along and it feels every second of its 2 hour... Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2010 by Ernie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cool man
This is a great film the attention to detail for the authenticity of the era is superbly done. A funny uplifting movie of a momentous time in cultural history.
Published on 10 May 2010 by C. J. P
4.0 out of 5 stars
Taking Woodstock Review
Bit slow to start but stick with it. Ultimately rewarding. On a technical level I'm wondering how many scenes were CGI.
Douglas
Douglas
Published on 11 April 2010 by Mr. D. Coker
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting little ditty, sort of a docku-comedy
First off, this is not a Woodstock documentary. I it is a story that just happens to center around the event. Read more
Published on 10 April 2010 by bernie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of the Blu-Ray
I already have the Blu-Ray, so here is the A/V quality rundown. "Taking Woodstock" is visually very good with clear, highly resolved images, although often presented with some... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2010 by Mr. Blu
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