Taking Woodstock

I got to watch Taking Woodstock today! Granted, I do not believe it to be at all a realistic depiction of the attitudes of the times, but it was a jolly good effort at providing an idealized interpretation of the legendary music festival.

I know that some critics have complained that the movie was unrealistic, boring at parts and totally missed out on the music part of the music festival. I do agree with that, but I am more inclined to evaluate the movie on the fact that it's intended as a comedy. I think the movie's got a little of everything to represent the key events happening around the time.

I did find it funny in parts, hilarious in others and just plain confusing in many bits. But I felt the confusion actually added to the believability of a massive music festival being pulled together in dribs and drabs. It also felt like a coming of age story, whereby the protagonist discovered who he really was and struck out to finally live his own life. No more mama's boy there. A touching thing, really.

Hmm...was it realistic? Having a transvestite (or was it transsexual?) being so easily accepted by everyone, and a bit of nice openly gay kissing being taken in stride? Probably not even at Woodstock. A Jew being quite openly gay and eating "extra" bacon on his "usual"? Not terribly likely. A home boy taking his first hit of drugs? Not a very good influence either, though I doubt this movie's for the kids. The token 'Nam and Korea vets? I think those who watched will know precisely what they feel about those characters.

Overall, besides the really awesome depiction of the festival itself (in overview) and that iconic muddy hill, I'd say the movie has just what the people need: A myth. A myth that depicts a golden era that never was, but that can serve as an ideal of tolerance that we can all work towards. Ok probably not the orgies and drugs. heh. Or maybe. I don't know.

I'd say...7.5/10? It's not a great movie, but then I'd say it's worth watching if you like this kinda thing.