Woodstock, the Finding of the Perfect Venue

I saw the movie “Woodstock,” when I was in high school back when it premiered in the theaters and at my local cinema. Needless to say, at the time I was blown away. I have been enamored with the event since that time and remain so today.  I loved all of the performers and the music. The entire ‘hippie scene’ was so foreign but also so intriguing for a girl from a family whose parents would never allow such behavior. Oh, I wore bell bottom jeans alright and I even had the same brown suede hat that is worn by one of the girl’s in the film (although mine was purple). The main difference to this day is the fact that a distinct line still remains between those teens and the teen that I was. I’d venture to say I was like a majority of teens in the country at the time.

Directed by Ang Lee, this historical film attempts to shed some light on the event and the circumstances that brought it to fruition. The film also shows us the look and feel of the late 60s along with the attitudes of young adults. Lee, surprisingly takes us on a LSD trip if you ever wondered what that was all about. Some of my friends have inquired if some of the concert goers are naked as in the original film?  The answer is YES, and this theme appears throughout the film.  So parents, this is not let’s cover Johnny’s eyes for the first five minutes, in this film you might as well put a blindfold on him permanently. James Schamus penned the screenplay and Elliot Tiber wrote the book of the same name.

The film begins by focusing on a family who owns a rundown motel that is barely making it. The son, Jake, played by Demetri Martin has dreams of getting out of the small New York farming community and going off into the big city to make it on his own. When Woodstock concert promoters roll into the town and begin inquiring about using the motel and fixing it up for the big concert the scene shifts quickly to one of pure joy instead of dread.

When Woodstock premiered one of the distinctive qualities about it was the split screen and the four quadrants shots. Lee, chose to shoot much of the film using the same method that was so unique at the time. The concert goers are shown sliding in the mud, bathing in the rivers and strumming their own guitars as they enjoy their surroundings. The vibrant colors of the late 60s have definitely been captured in this film and are brilliant onscreen.

The script was a little farfetched at times as some of the characters seemed to be added for shock value and were a bit unbelievable.  The main character was okay, although his performance isn’t really over-the-top. I did enjoy Eugene Levy as the dairy farmer as he’s comical as always. I was also hugely disappointed that no performer is ever shown on the main stage. I kept waiting throughout the film and...no one. Yes, we hear the original music in the background, but to me, Woodstock was about the performers and the music.

If you are a fan of the era, you’d probably enjoy the film, otherwise the story doesn’t have much depth. The music is fantastic, but remember its all songs from Woodstock.

Sarah Adamson © August 2009