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 | Concert | Motel | Abstract Painting | Interior Decorator

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

Color:

Color

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

Filming Locations:

Cherry Plain State Park, New York, USA

Company:

Focus Features

Trivia:

According to The Washington Post, screenwriter and producer James Schamus told reporters at the Cannes Film Festival that the biggest challenge in casting extras for the film was to find people "who were not working out all the time, and who still had pubic hair."

Goofs:

Factual errors: Billy talks about beating Monticello High School and catching 3 touch down passes. Monticello High School had no football team at that time nor did it have one for decades prior to the festival. Also, if Billy was from White Lake or Bethel, he would have attended Monticello High School and would not have been playing against them.

Quotes:

Vilma: You should see what I'm packing up here.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "De wereld draait door: (#5.14)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Can't Find My Way Home

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.