Taking Woodstock

Taking Woodstock is an engaging comedy-drama from 2009 that takes us back to the era of counterculture, freedom, and, of course, rock-and-roll. Directed by acclaimed Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee, who has earned recognition for works like 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and 'Life of Pi', Taking Woodstock was inspired by the memoir of music festival organizer Elliot Tiber. The film stars standup comedian Demetri Martin as the protagonist, alongside a stellar ensemble cast that includes Edward Hibbert, Henry Goodman, Imelda Staunton, Emile Hirsch, Liev Schreiber, and others.

Set in 1969 against the backdrop of the cultural revolution, the film gives us a glimpse into the making of the iconic Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Though historic in nature, the film does not merely revolve around musicians performing on stage. Instead, it takes us behind-the-scenes, showing us how the seeds for this colossal event were planted.

The story itself centers around Elliot, a New York interior designer and an amateur event organizer living in Greenwich Village. His parents, played by Henry Goodman and Imelda Staunton, operate a run-down motel in White Lake, New York, situated in the Catskills. Elliot, aware of the financial struggles of his parents, decides to help them out by hosting a small music concert at their motel. Unbeknownst to him, this small idea would soon convert him into an inadvertent agent of history, as his initiatives set the stage for one of the most iconic music festivals in history - Woodstock!

An important side character includes Sonia Teichberg (Sonia Sommers), who runs a nearby hotel and is a veteran theatrical producer, played brilliantly by Edward Hibbert. Sonia serves as a mentor figure for the naïve Elliot in his journey toward setting up the concert.

The film captures the unique aspect of the festival's setting – the motel and its extensive grounds, which could accommodate an audience of near half a million music lovers. It portrays Elliot's continuous struggle to draw audiences and performers to the inaugural Woodstock concert while showing the backstage drama and comedy that unfolded during the historical period.

Another vital theme of the movie is Elliot's struggle with his identity. As a closeted gay man in the culturally volatile era of the 60s, Elliot tussles with his own personal turmoil that gets depicted beautifully in the film. His meeting and interactions with various characters that are passing through town on the way to the concert – including several Vietnam war veterans, colorful hippies, and an imposing cross-dressing ex-Marine played by Liev Schreiber, all serve to enrichen this theme and add layers to Elliot's character.

The film is beautifully painted with colors of humor, nostalgia, drama, and relationships, presenting a well-rounded character study amidst a historical backdrop. Its contrasts and comparisons of the conservative townsfolk and their legacies with the free-spirited attendees of the festival make for an entertaining watch, as the sleepy town gets transformed overnight into a vibrant delay of counterculture.

Working behind the lens, Eric Gautier, the foreign cinematographer, uses his visual storytelling prowess to depict the setting and era in its full glory, keeping a keen eye for the intricate details of the era and festival.

The film picks up where many documentaries about Woodstock leave off, offering viewers an immersive look at this significant landmark event in history through the lens of comedy and drama. While Taking Woodstock is, of course, about the celebrated music festival, it also expands the narrative to the cultural, social, and personal changes that were happening at the time – making it a melting pot of emotions, music, and history.

In conclusion, Taking Woodstock can be best described as a heartwarming, funny, and nostalgic trip back to an era that redefined music and youth culture for generations to come. It stands as a testament to the power of music and proves that sometimes even the largest of cultural shifts can start with the smallest of sparks.