Taking Woodstock (2009)

Director:

Ang Lee

Writers (WGA):

James Schamus (screenplay)
Elliot Tiber (book) ...

Release Date:

28 August 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Tagline:

"A Generation Began In His Backyard."

Plot:

A man working at his parents' motel in the Catskills inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining concert in the summer of 1969. |

Plot Keywords:

1969 | Motel | Concert | Interior Decorator | Hidden Money

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Henry Goodman	...	Jake Teichberg
Edward Hibbert	...	British Gentleman
Imelda Staunton	...	Sonia Teichberg
Demetri Martin	...	Elliot Tiber
Emile Hirsch	...	Billy
Paul Dano	...	VW Guy
Kelli Garner	...	VW Girl
Clark Middleton	...	Frank
Bette Henritze	...	Annie
Sondra James	...	Margaret
Jeffrey Dean Morgan	...	Dan
Christina Kirk	...	Carol
Gail Martino	...	Town Clerk
Lee Wong	...	George the Doorman (as Takeo Lee Wong)
Adam LeFevre	...	Dave

MPAA:

Rated R for graphic nudity, some sexual content, drug use and language.

Runtime:

France:110 min (Cannes Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45200) | New Zealand:R16 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Portugal:M/16 | Ireland:16 | Hong Kong:III | Singapore:R21 | Germany:6 | Australia:MA | Netherlands:12 | Mexico:B15

Filming Locations:

Cherry Plain State Park, New York, USA

Company:

Focus Features

Trivia:

The guitarist and white percussionist (playing an udu) in the El Monaco Bar Band during the limbo scene are members of the funk/folk band Flearoy.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Arlo Guthrie was heard singing "Coming Into Los Angeles" in daylight. When the 1969 Woodstock concert first took place, Arlo came on stage at midnight right after Melanie.

Quotes:

VW Guy: Like ants making thunder.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Late Show with David Letterman: (#16.194)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Coming Into Los Angeles

A truly great film

Ang Lee is not only one of the best directors working today but also one of the most diverse, and his latest movie is yet another sparkling addition to his respectable body of work. It's entitled Taking Woodstock, and is a delectable tale which focuses on the iconic, generation-defining event known as Woodstock. The music and times of the festival is told from a different perspective in this movie, one which richly blends the two genres of comedy and drama into a rich film in itself.

The film is also wonderful to watch and wholeheartedly enjoyable, drawing laughs from us on many occasions but also being a serious and dramatic movie. The acting talent comprises of thespians genuinely involved in this project, and conveying enthusiasm which is enjoyable to watch. The same can be said for Mr. Lee's contributions to Woodstock; he helms the project and transposes all his knowledge and experience into his movie, resulting in an intelligent, funny and dramatic slice of cinema. Highly recommended.