Watch Taking Woodstock

Taking Woodstock is a 2009 comedy-drama directed by Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee, and features an ensemble cast that includes Demetri Martin, Henry Goodman, and Edward Hibbert. The film is based on the memoirs of Elliot Tiber, who was instrumental in bringing the Woodstock Festival to his hometown. The film is set in the summer of 1969, and follows Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin), a struggling interior designer who lives in the Village in Manhattan with his parents. Elliot, who is gay, is having difficulty coming to terms with his sexuality, and is frustrated with his dead-end job and his lack of success as an artist. His life changes when he hears that a small community in upstate New York is set to host a music festival that promises to be the cultural event of the year.

Elliot sees the festival as a chance to escape his mundane life and make a name for himself. Without thinking twice, he offers his parents' motel in the nearby Catskills as a venue for the festival. When the festival organizers accept his offer, Elliot becomes the liaison between the people of the small town and the festival's chaotic organizers, who are desperately trying to find a new location for the festival.

As the festival draws near, tension starts to build between the locals and the hippies. Elliot, who is torn between his loyalty to the people of his town and his love for the counterculture movement, is forced to confront his own prejudices and stereotypes about the hippies. He also has to deal with his eccentric parents, especially his overbearing mother, Sonia (Imelda Staunton), who is determined to make a profit from the festival and is constantly interfering in Elliot's plans.

The film explores the themes of acceptance, freedom, and self-discovery, as the characters navigate the complexities of the cultural and political landscape of the late '60s. It also features a stellar soundtrack that includes some of the most iconic songs of the era, such as "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane and "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix.

Demetri Martin gives a standout performance as Elliot, skillfully portraying the character's journey from a naive and lost young man to a confident and self-aware individual. Henry Goodman is also impressive as Elliot's father, who is suffering from financial difficulties and is trying to make a living by selling goods to the hippies.

Edward Hibbert adds a touch of humor to the film as the flamboyant Broadway producer, Vilma, who comes to the festival with his troupe of eccentric actors and adds to the chaos of the already chaotic event.

Overall, Taking Woodstock is a captivating and entertaining film that offers a glimpse into one of the most iconic events of the 20th century. It showcases director Ang Lee's versatility as a filmmaker, and delivers a poignant and humorous exploration of the human condition.

Taking Woodstock is a 2009 music movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 55.