First Hit: It was an enjoyable and at times interesting, story but it left me wanting to go see the film Woodstock for the 4th time.
Based on a true story; Demetri Martin plays Elliot Tiber who, as the story would have it, saved the Woodstock Concert.
The film is about what happened to Elliot, his mother and father Sonia and Jake Teichberg (played by Imelda Staunton and Henry Goldman respectively) who were running a rundown resort in upper New York which was going into bank default when Elliot comes up with an idea to save the motel and the Woodstock festival. He had read that the concert was kicked out of one venue and was searching for a new one to hold its arts and music festival.
When Michael Lang (played by Jonathan Groff) flies to the motel in a helicopter while the other Woodstock Ventures personnel arrive in limos the cash begins to flow. Initially, the Woodstock Ventures group said Elliot’s open field land was unserviceable, however when Elliot introduces them to Max Yaugar (played by Eugene Levy) and they see his land, a deal is made.
The town’s people resent Max’s deal and Elliot for using the permit to let hundreds of thousands of hippies invade their town for the concert so they ostracize and picket them. However, they also take advantage of the invasion of young people and make money from the concert as well. As the concert date gets closer the activity around Elliot’s family motel increases which include his parents getting high on hash brownies, the hiring of an ex-Marine drag queen named Vilma (played by Liev Schreiber) for security, and Elliot’s coming out as a gay man.
None of the music of Woodstock is heard, and that does take away from the film as does a senseless and poorly acted Vietnam Veteran role played by Emile Hirsch.
Although I would have liked to have heard some of the music and seen some of the Woodstock acts, having a little insight to this critical background story was enjoyable and, at times, well acted.
Martin, is very good as Elliot. Goldman was effective as his quiet and resigned father. Staunton was outstanding as his scared, shrewd mother. Kudo’s to Schreiber as Vilma as he was clearly outstanding in the role as a drag queen and former Marine. As mentioned Hirsch was unbelievable as a Vietnam Vet (being one myself), and Levy was great as Yaugar. Ang Lee caught the flavor of Woodstock and some of the people who came to enjoy the music. Occasional scenes showing original news footage was effective and I loved seeing the VW vans, cars, and the carefree feeling of that period effectively represented.
Overall: It was a good film and I was a bit let down by the lack of the original Woodstock music, I found myself waiting to hear it.