Movie Review: Taking Woodstock (2009)
A sweet story that goes down easy
Photo: Focus Features
Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock goes down easy from start to finish with only a hiccup or two along the way, but nothing that disturbs the vibe this flashback to the '60s offers without dwelling in the era as much as telling the story of an intriguing small town family and the coming-of-age of their young son.
The cast includes Emile Hirsch, Liev Schreiber, Imelda Staunton, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Henry Goodman, Eugene Levy, Paul Dano, Dan Fogler, Zoe Kazan, Mamie Gummer, Demetri Martin and Skylar Astin. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"Taking Woodstock" is a Focus Features release, directed by Ang Lee and is rated R for graphic nudity, some sexual content, drug use and language. The running time is 2 hours 1 minute.
A half-million concert goers descend upon White Lake, the National Guard is called in and Eliot's family business is booming, but amongst the mayhem Ang Lee manages to tell a very personal story. Only once does he have Eliot test the hallucinogenic waters and not a frame of this film features a single Woodstock performance, but that doesn't stop the film from expressing the inspiration of free love, free music and the three days of history no one would have ever predicted, certainly not Eliot. But the size of it all is hardly the issue here as much as is the effect it has on Eliot and his family, and the story moves along with only a couple of mild disturbances.
A money issue addressed later in the feature serves as my major complaint. I know we are talking about a film based on a true story, but it felt like it was forced into the story being told and really slowed down the film's momentum by coming virtually out of nowhere. While it would have been a fitting side-story to cover in a more heavy-handed feature, here it is a diversion that seemed rushed and unnecessary, even though it does add additional weight to the film's climax. But I still contend it could have been abandoned outright.
Beyond that, Dan Fogler leading a barn-dwelling comedy troupe that prefers to perform in the nude (all except Fogler of course) is hardly amusing, but it fits with the tone of the film and isn't in any way offensive or overly time-consuming.
However, there is far more to like than there is anything to dislike. As Eliot, Martin is as approachable as they come as he finds his way and a voice in the world. His parents are equally enjoyable, and while I think most audiences will all take to Henry Goodman as Eliot's father, I feel there will be something of a mixed reaction to Staunton's performance, which is hit-and-miss along the way, but she was tackling a lot and ultimately comes out on top.
The real joy with this film, though, is Liev Schreiber as Vilma, a cross-dressing ex-Marine. His outfit is a blonde wig, dress and a pair of high heels. He plays the role straight and it works at all turns. I loved every second of his time on screen with Schreiber's performance elevating each scene and every character he comes into contact with. Standing at 6'3" and sporting the bulk he gained for his villainous role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Vilma becomes the head of El Monaco security in a role to remember.
My personal interest in Woodstock as a musical event is pretty much zero, but I think we all know personal preferences — in music especially — mean nothing when a film is done right. As a matter of fact, films can turn you around completely on any kind of music you may have traditionally not enjoyed. While Taking Woodstock didn't do that for me, it also didn't try. The focus here wasn't music, and the festival that brought it to Eliot's doorstep was simply the talking point to tell a sweet coming-of-age story and it works. While Taking Woodstock isn't grand in an sense, it is perfectly mild and easy to enjoy.
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Now you've done it, Brad. I had no intention of seeing this film. But you've encouraged my interest. From the little pieces I've seen, Liev was always fascinating. I'll still wait for the DVD.
I think we are are very similar minds on this one, just the stuff that slightly bugged you – Staunton's performance, the money, the barnboys – really got to me. I found it to be, largely, solid direction with a weak script by Schamus.
Me and a bunch of friends of mine were all extras on this when they filmed it last fall in up-state NY. I am so excited to see this :)
Yeah, saw this last night. I guess I'm with Mr. Zitzelman with just about everything he said, except that I wasn't that impressed with the direction. I thought the cinematography in the very beginning and in the final third of the movie was done well.
And like everyone else, I absolutely adored Liev Schreiber in this.