Fantasy meets Reality
More pluses than minuses; well cast, fun movie, idealizes the whole "Woodstock" thing through the key character - but in an appealing way, also exploring the hard-nosed business side of the event. Very true to 1969 in the little details, felt like being in a time warp visually. True to the times in ways, but at the same time, parts of the story are forward of the realities of 1969 on some social issues, which were still very much in infancy. This puts the point to Ang Lee's detachment from 1960's America even though he actually lived through the period (I'm his age and couldn't buy into it all). It's 1969 through a 2009 lens.
The film focuses on the back story, not the music and has barely enough to tie in with the concert at Yasgur's. Still, it pertains to many kids who went and wound up at the fringes anyway. Go see it if you're a Woodstock Generation member or know someone who is, but you should also see the actual Woodstock documentary.