By now, we're used to the coming-of-age theme in movies about this era. But what makes ''1969'' special is its subtlety, in recognizing the differences in the way we reacted to news, gestures, comments in 1969 as compared to now. The term ''innocence'' is overused; it was simply one of fewer dimensions... no internet, fewer TV channels, when newspapers and radio took on a far greater role in forming our decisions. In the hitch-hiking and driving scenes through scenic Maryland, we remember that travel wasn't always comfortable, that we didn't take for granted getting from point A to point B.
Keifer Sutherland, Robert Downey Jr. and Winona Ryder are all fantastic, but Mariette Hartley really does a stellar job as a mom that keeps a family together through incredible strife.
And the soundtrack is really what'll have you hooked. There are the usual 60's staples like Blind Faith (''Can't Find My Way Home''), but also some songs younger viewers might be unfamiliar with or older ones might've forgotten (like the underrated, powerful ''When I Was Young'' by the Animals).
Not a definitive look at an era, but a likeable cast of characters that will have you coming back to watch again.
Surprisingly good and timely anti-war "period piece"
1969 is very special to me. I graduated from high school, went to Woodstock, and attended every anti-war event I could find. I would be inclined to watch any movie about this period, but when this one came on "Tivo" as a suggestion, I was skeptical. The Tivo guide gave it two stars and suggested that it was about nothing but a couple of guys doing dope on the road.
It is actually a pretty powerful anti-war movie, with fine acting from Winona Ryder, Keifer Sutherland, and Robert Downey, Jr., who were big stars in the '80s and I am surprised this was not more of a box office hit for their presence in the cast.
The scenes are realistic, portraying the happy-go-lucky years
of hitchiking, campus protests, "sensitivity" and all that, and
the music is well-chosen for the most part. I thought that there was a gratuitous homophobic scene early on, when the boys are picked up by a not-so-creepy slightly older hippie type and go ballistic, but even that scene is saved by the gay guy yelling out to them as they run away, "I didn't know you were married!"
Scott (Sutherland) is a thoughtful individualistic boy, very typical for the time, and you get the sense that his older brother, headed for Vietnam as a Marine, is not that different, but timing is everything. Bruce Dern as the WWII veteran father is surprisingly convincing (I thought he could only play creepy types) The story is fairly predictable but well done.
Ryder is great playing "Beth" younger sister of the Downey character. And what is it with these early Downey roles? Art imitates life or is it vice-versa? We see him here flipping out on LSD, running around almost naked, etc., same thing we see later in his performance as "Julian" in "Less than Zero".
He's probably the finest of the actors in this film, but this is not his best role. I thought Sutherland did better and, what's more, looked better. He is the star of this movie.
Too bad he is wasting his talent these days on Fox's tacky "24".
Anyway, in any period piece, I am always on the lookout for realism in scenes, props, characters, hairstyles, clothes, you name it. On first viewing, I thought this film did very well on most of those counts.
Only the final scene is unrealistic. This is supposedly set in
Maryland in the early and late summer of 1969. That is too early for the kind of consensus to develop about the war that is depicted, especially in a small town where only one kid has died in Vietnam. (As I write this, the same kind of feeling about the Iraq war is only apparently developing in Vermont)
I would have liked to see these characters attending Woodstock,
as that would have fit into the story well. Also, as in the NBC television series "American Dreams", some depiction of what the older brother was seeing going on in Vietnam would have helped immensely. So this is not quite up there with such brilliant and moving Vietnam films as "Platoon" and "Born on the Fourth of July" or "Forrest Gump", but it's a fine movie and if you are anti-war and a child of the '60s, you will love it.
Classic 80's movie cliche's, set in the year 1969.
1969 is a great timepiece. The movie came out in theatres in November of 1988. As was also reviewed on VH1's "I Love The 80's - 1988", there was a late 60's, early 70's "Hippie Revival" that started in 1988 and continued into 1989. Tye Dye shirts, "drug rug" ponchos, and "hacky sack", were the style. The Grateful Dead hit the top 10 at the end of 1987 w/ "Touch Of Grey", from "In The Dark". One of the top CD's being sold off of TV was the late 60's, early 70's compilation CD, "Freedom Rock", which featured 2 hippies in the back of a van screaming "Turn It Up Man". So as this "Hippie Revival" hit pop culture, of course Hollywood had to latch on. "1969" was that movie. Entertaining, but don't expect anything too heavyweight. It was clearly a classic 80's teen movie, filled w/ all the classic 80's teen movie cliche's of romance and coming of age. It's simply set in the year 1969. Classic 80's "teen" stars, Ryder, Downey Jr., and Southerland star. Again, its a classic 80's film in every way, just set in the year 1969. The soundtrack is awesome and adds to the enjoyment of the film. You can get the soundtrack on Amazon as well. For anyone that got caught up in that whole "Hippie Revival" of 1988-89', as recently brought up on VH1's "I Love The 80's - 1988", this movie is worth the watch.
Inspired casting puts sparks in this comedy of counterculture clash between an aging 1960s radical and a buttoned-down FBI agent. Dennis Hopper plays an Abbie Hoffman-esque sixties activist and prankster who lands in the custody of a conservative young agent (a suitably uptight Kiefer Sutherland) and proceeds to literally unravel the agent's carefully constructed front through a series of slippery mind games. Hopper has a blast as the unreformed sixties relic, and Carol Kane is delightful as a hippie holdout who puts both men back in touch with their identities. There are few surprises, plenty of heart, and even a little sentiment in this story of rebellion and the legacy of the counterculture. The soundtrack is gilded with well-chosen 1960s anthems. --Sean AxmakerMore Info about this DVD Actor(s): Dennis Hopper - Kiefer Sutherland Director(s): Franco Amurri DVD Release Date: Released the 19 August 2003 Usually ships within 24 hours
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This is a medium whodunit with a twist and then a double twist..but it is NOT that the lead character can see the future through grasping objects, but rather that he can see the events that occurred in the past, but only through the eyes of the user/possessor of that object, which usually happens to be the victim..but naturally the victim never looks completely at the killer's face until...but I won't spoil it...
A good X-Files episode is more satisfying..in fact a good Dead Zone episode is more satisfying..but if it's on cable and you happen to have a couple of hours to kill... go for it. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Paul Marcus DVD Release Date: Released the 24 October 2000 Usually ships within 24 hours
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As a big Fan of Kiefer I have seen this movie several times in german and now bought it in english. Sure, the story is not as exciting as his new series "24", but it's amusing to see Kiefer getting more nervous with each step Pally and Ray do. It shows the funny side of Kiefer's acting and he is excellent. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Mark Malone DVD Release Date: Released the 23 July 2002 Usually ships within 24 hours
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I rented this film before I bought it. I must say that this is Kiefer's absolutate "best" performance. I rented it for 3 straight weeks and then bought it. I watch it over and over again. The story was so sensitively told and the cast was absolutely perfect!!!! Kiefer of course was the solid anchor and Kyra brought in the rear w/her solid portrayal. I loved the actress who played Michelle as well, she was a delight. I also particularly took notice of the actress who played the young Natalie. I am expecting more from this young lady and look forward to seeing her in future projects.
But, back to the story. My heart was touched and I found that "I" wanted to go help Roy myself. That's just how profound Kiefer's portrayal is!!!! It seemed like I was watching my own... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Matia Karrell DVD Release Date: Released the 16 December 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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AN UNUSUAL FILM WHICH VACILLATES BETWEEN FANTASY AND REALITY. I DIDN'T KNOW IF THE FILM STORY WAS REALLY TRUE OR NOT (EVEN THOUGH THE OPENING SAYS IT IS) UNTIL THE LAST SEGMENTS OF THE PICTURE.
