Taking Woodstock

I thoroughly enjoyed Ang Lee's new film Taking Woodstock. It is based on a true story. Of course, everyone knows the story of the Woodstock concert back in 1969. But what we didn't know was how it all came to being.

Elliot Teichberg (Demitri Martin) works for his parents in a White Lake Motel. He is a creative person and would rather be doing something else. But he feels obligated to help them. Jake (Henry Goodman) and Sonia (Imelda Staunton) are Russian Jewish immigrants. Jake is a quiet type but Sonia is ball of fire. The motel is facing foreclosure. Elliot is a leader in the community. When he finds out about the Woodstock and the fact that it cannot be held in Woodstock his wheels turn. Unfortunately, the concert cannot be held on the Teichberg's property. But Max Yasgur (Eugene Levy) has a huge farm and Elliot convinces Max to let the concert take place there. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Although we don't see footage from the concert we get a real feel of what happened there. And we see Elliot grow and become his own man. As I said before, Lee does a great job with recreating the era. He has help from his James Schamus, who wrote the screenplay based on the real Elliot Tiber's book. And Eric Gautier's cinematography is just outstanding. All of the above mentioned actors are wonderful as is Liev Schreiber as Vilma, a drag queen security person.

I didn't make it to Woodstock but this was my time. And that time was better than this time. So if you are of a certain generation (although you don't have to be) get our your tie dyed shirt and your peace symbol and head over to your local movie theater and see Taking Woodstock.