1982 - Peter's Friends

This is one of those gems that I never got around to seeing, and finally dusted off the DVD I'd purchased of it years ago to plop in.  I'm gearing up for a bit of a similar type ensemble, so I'm surrounding myself with these types of films right now to see what parts inspire.
Hugh Laurie looks so amazingly different here.  Emma Thompson reminds me of Kate Hewlett a bit here in a really delightful way.  I was worried a bit that Kenneth Branagh was going to be the same character type all the way through but was happy to see him mature with age.
This is a really charming film with a wonderful cast and an impressive musical soundtrack.  I'm sure it was a low budget flick since it largely took place all in one location, but it never felt that way.
If you haven't seen it, this is a beautiful film about friendship and one that shouldn't be over looked.  I'm glad I have a copy and I'm sure I'll revisit it sooner rather than later.

1514 - Taking Woodstock

 

I had a geography teacher who made us watch the film Woodstock over and over and over again.  I can't remember if he'd been there - I'm sure that he wanted to be if he didn't.  Either way, because of that man, I've always had at least a minor interest in this festival.  

This is an interesting film in terms of the people that have come together to be a part of it.  Ang Lee is a bit of a surprise - although if you look at the man's filmography there is no rhyme or reason to it - he's all over the map in terms of the kinds of films and subjects that he gets involved in.

There's a wonderful supporting cast here: Liev Schreiber, Paul Dano, Eugene Levy, Imelda Staunton, Emile Hirschto name a few.  I can't imagine that they got involved with the film because the script gave them an amazing role to play - they were all good, but none of them are playing career making performances - they got involved because of what the project was about.

I'm a bit neutral on this film.  I enjoyed it, but it's not something I'm going to find myself raving about as a 'must see'.  It's what it is, a small document of a person who got involved in something extraordinary.  Take that for what you will.  The one irony is that, for a film about one of the greatest musical festivals of all time, I can't say that the soundtrack particularly stood out.

Taking Woodstock   Taking Woodstock [Blu-ray]