I saw Taking Woodstock yesterday and I have to say, I was disappointed. It never came together for me...I felt like there were a lot of loose ends that never got tied up.
I read the book last winter -- it was good, not great, but entertaining. While the book certainly had plenty of anecdotes about Eliot's role in the whole planning of Woodstock, a major theme in the book, which never made it into the movie, was about Eliot's "double life." During the week he'd be in NYC, working as an interior designer. He was also a "sexual plaything" for a fairly rough group of men. On the weekend, he'd go to his parent's motel and help them run the place. The summer of 1969 was transformational for him in many ways -- through the power of Woodstock he finally came out to his parents and discovered what it means to have a healthy (not abusive) sexual relationship. (NB: not long after Woodstock, he met the man who became his lifelong companion and partner -- they were together for about 35 years. I think he died a year or so ago.)
The other piece is that in 1969, Eliot was 35 years old which I think casts a whole different perspective on his life and what he was going through. Demetri Martin as Eliot looked about 22 (although in real life he is 36 which I find surprising) and having your whole world change at 22 is different than having your whole world change at 35, imo.
I enjoyed the movie and I am glad I saw it, but it could have been much, much more, I think, and in that way, I was disappointed.
L