Iffy for 15+
Dramedy revisits famous festival, complete with drugs, sex.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this R-rated Ang Lee dramedy about the backstory behind the famous Woodstock festival is quite accurate in depicting the time period and the event itself -- in other words, there's plenty of drug use (pot, acid, etc.), nudity, and more. Since it stars comedian Demetri Martin, expect teens to be interested. But the topic and tone are definitely more geared toward adults.
- Families can talk about the era depicted in the movie. What was it about Woodstock thatattracted the younger generation? Was the eventitself a tipping point for change, or was it emblematic of changealready under way?
- Teens: Do you think the movie is an accurate presentation of what it was like to be at Woodstock? What do you think would happen at a similar event today, especially if drug use and sex were as rampant?
- Why does Elliot help his parents even though his mother doesn’tseem to appreciate it? Or, if she does, why can’t she let him know?What makes him persist?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie's main messages are that you can't fight change -- but that change isn't necessarily bad -- and that you should follow your bliss (peace reigns, man!). Family is also shown as being important. The close-minded try to fend off a societal shift by attempting to cancel the festival, but a determined generation prevails.
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Role models: A son rallies around his parents and their town, even though it meansdelaying his own happiness. He's resourceful and hardworking, but alsohas lots of empathy for others. His mother doesn’t seem to have empathy for him, but she appears to come around somewhat, and he and his father forge a bond in the run up to (and during) the festival. One character hoards money to the point where she takes advantage of arelative’s generosity. She wakes up on the floor clutching herpiles of cash and will do almost anything to make an extra buck.
What to watch for
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Violence: One character flashes a gun attached to his hip. A man swings a bat at -- and later chases -- mobsters trying to shake him down. Some yelling between family members. A group defaces a property that belongs to a Jewish family, painting a swastika on it.
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Sex: A fair bit of nudity during the festival (bare breasts and behinds; genitalia can be seen from afar). Heterosexual and same-sex couples make out in public, and there’s a scene that hints at a threesome, though it’s not made clear what exactly happens. One male character is a cross-dresser.
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Language: Frequent use of strong language includes "f--k" (many times), "s--t," "damn," "prick," "my God," and more.
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The movie acurately represents the time and place: There was plenty of drug use at the time (and especially at the festival), and some of it's shown here. Characters smoke pot, eat hash brownies, and trip on acid. There's also some drinking, sometimes to excess, in party situations.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
TAKING WOODSTOCK - A HAPPY TRIP! Rating: 88 out of 100. (Based on advance VIP press preview) by MOVIES REVIEWER
Thursday 8/27 - TW is a 1hr 50min beautifully-crafted period movie - directed by Ang Lee who gave us 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and 'Brokeback Mountain'.
Ang Lee is a master at infusing his movies with the appropriate mood/setting. So, with Taking Woodstock, we are transported to the historic iconic 1969 Woodstock festival.
There is nothing hazy trippy about this movie - it is clear as a whistle in execution/direction/editing.
Demetri Martin played the role of a gay interior designer who paints and who was instrumental for allowing the celebrated Woodstock event to happen.
If you're expecting a musical, lots of band music or solo performances on stage - you'd be disappointed.
TW captured the essences of the various pivotal characters with 'behind-the-scenes' look at how the event was put together.
Btw, GREAT cast!
I'm watching TW again this weekend - the 4:20 showing.
VERDICT:
A MUST SEE for fans of Ang Lee and fans of period movies.
Actual GRADE: B-PLUS.
5
Huleskid by LedZep2790
okay first off mr. huleskid if you are going to rip on a movie based on one of the best festivals of all time, and talk about it like you are the woodstock king, make sure you know how to spell Jimi Hendrix, not Jimmy. You really have no idea what you are talking about. But overall this movie is going to be great soundtrack, picture, and Demitri is absolutely hilarious
3
Five Word Review by redyeah
Funny, but no real edge
4
Fantasy meets Reality by the_papa-bear
More pluses than minuses; well cast, fun movie, idealizes the whole "Woodstock" thing through the key character - but in an appealing way, also exploring the hard-nosed business side of the event. Very true to 1969 in the little details, felt like being in a time warp visually. True to the times in ways, but at the same time, parts of the story are forward of the realities of 1969 on some social issues, which were still very much in infancy. This puts the point to Ang Lee's detachment from 1960's America even though he actually lived through the period (I'm his age and couldn't buy into it all). It's 1969 through a 2009 lens.
The film focuses on the back story, not the music and has barely enough to tie in with the concert at Yasgur's. Still, it pertains to many kids who went and wound up at the fringes anyway. Go see it if you're a Woodstock Generation member or know someone who is, but you should also see the actual Woodstock documentary.
2
Very Disappointing by dnhgry
I was really looking forward to seeing this film and expected a satirical look at Woodstock, but this movie turned out to be a complete dud. I gave it a "NO" rating only because I had considered leaving in the middle of it, but either out of laziness or some interest in it that I can't define, decided to stay until the end. I did however check my watch to see how long I had been sitting there and each time it seemed much longer than it actually was.
I don't know if this was supposed to be a comedy with a bit of drama or a drama with some amusing moments, but it leans toward the latter. However the drama would have been better with a decent script and the humorous moments would have been better if there were more of them and if they were actually amusing.
There is a decent amount of indecency so it does have that going for it. But, if I were you, I wouldn't go for it. Wait until it comes to TV so you can turn it off or change the channel.
4
Woodstock flavored tangerine by ninaalonso
The film has the tangerine druggie flavor of the 60's and a lead character whose rather "uptight" nature opens up with exposure to a slew of hippie folk in a three day free for all. It's extreme and it's supposed to be. There were some scenes regarding his parents, especially his mom, which strike me as labored and bogus, but I'll leave that to you to sort out. Take the film lightly and have fun.
4
Woodstock: A Personal Memory by NathanielQueen
This is the sanitized version of the phenomenon called "Woodstock" that defined a generation and awakening in America, For those like me who were able to witness it, albeit from afar, it's a 'must se'. For those who were too young, they should see it to understand the times that their parents were coming of age.
1
Proof beyond reasonable doubt that Fandango reviews are manipulated by those with financial interest by tom3000
This is a movie about Woodstock that does not actually show the concert and that fact is not made clear going in. So no rational reviewer could give this movie any more than a so-so rating. But just look at all those folks saying how great it is. It isn?t. Those are folks promoting the movie. I suggest that we abandon Fandango since they continue allow the information to be distorted by promoters. You definitely can not believe what you read here. I quit writing reviews a long time ago after I realized Fandango would not do anything about this. I have stopped reading the reviews too-I just stopped by to see if the problem had been corrected. It hasn?t.
5
Five Word Review by washed_up
PHENOMENAL photography, unnecessary gay subplot
4
Five Word Review by aimeeleigh15
Enjoyable Trip back to Woodstock!