"Taking Woodstock"

In Taking Woodstock, the new film from Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee, we flashback to the genesis of the most iconic moment in music history; a better time for us all when peace and love ruled the day and government intervention in the health care industry was unnecessary because everyone shared their pharmaceuticals.

     Elliot Teichberg (Demetri Martin) moved back from Brooklyn to help manage his parent’s dilapidated Catskills resort, the El Monaco Motel. When he hears of a music festival unceremoniously booted from its original location in the nearby town of Woodstock, the young president of the White Lake chamber of commerce invites them to his hamlet.
     Unfortunately, the sleepy town isn’t very excited about hosting the half-million hippies that eventually descend on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm. Neither are Teichberg’s parents, until the money starts rolling in.
     Taking Woodstock is inspired (only “inspired,” probably no one actually remembers anything that happened weekend) by real events and is based on Teichberg’s book of the same title. It tells the story of the generation-defining fete, its 40th anniversary this month, from an alternate perspective, that of the hosts; something we didn’t see in the 1970 movie, Woodstock, which took home the Oscar for Best Documentary.
     Ang Lee director of an eclectic assortment of films that includes Brokeback Mountain, The Hulk, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon adeptly captures the moment while never actually showcasing any of the music that was heretofore the vortex of Woodstock. His split-screen shots, either reminiscent of the original film or symbolic of a “counter” culture, are sometimes distracting but what is remarkable is the absence of concert footage. Only rarely do we even hear the performers, when we do, they are always faint and in the background. That not only works, but it’s appropriate. The townspeople didn’t actually attended the festival and Teichberg, himself, never made it to the stage. It’s a perfect complement to the 1970 film.
     The Daily Show’s Demetri Martin, as Teichberg, turns-in a fine performance as a young man with a great burden, and a confusing proclivity, thrust upon him. Henry Goodman and Imelda Staunton, as Teichberg’s Jewish parents Jake and Sonia, add dimension and some humor (says Imelda to some naked dancing hippies at one point, “cover your parts, we have company!”). But it is Eugene Levy (The American Pie dad) who is probably best cast. As Max Yasgur, he is ever-tolerant, even-keeled, and so square that he is cool. And he is forever “pushing” chocolate milk.
     Far out.

3 Honks
MPAA Rating: R for graphic nudity, some sexual content, drug use and language.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810039590/trailer

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