Review of 1969 (1988) by Jason H — 14 May 2010

Let's see...how do I rate a movie that has no intrinsic value, whatsoever?

This movie stars a plethora of Hollywood A-Listers, even though at the time, they were virtual unknowns. The acting is solid, after all, you'd expect no less then that from Robert Downey, Jr., Kiefer Sutherland, Bruce Dern, and Winona Ryder.

The soundtrack was phenomenal. You can't have a movie about the rebelliousness of the 1960's without the staple background music. And it's all here: "Green River" by CCR, "All Along The Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix, "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" by The Animals, "White Room" by Cream, "Time of the Season" by The Zombies. It was deathfully apparent, however that somewhere in the licensing of all of these great songs, they forgot to hire someone who would stop anachronisms. This movie is not only bad with them, it's RIDDLED with them!

Three of the most telling:

A 1977 model-year car is seen (not in the background) but SMACK IN THE FOREGROUND of the opening sequence.

H&R Block who didn't have the logo used on the sign in the street sequence until 1985.

Palmetto Tours ferries Scott's brother to the Army, but that would be impossible, seeing as how that bus line (a subsidiary of Greyhound) operates only in South Carolina - The Palmetto State. This movie takes place in Maryland.

There is also a feeling hanging over this film that just isn't right. I find it VERY hard to believe that Scott wouldn't take acid or smoke weed. It was that era, and he's playing it straight? Hardly. That defies logic.

The ending also does not feel right. I can see Scott's dad making amends with him, even forgiving him to a degree, but for such an old-fashioned person, with strong military ties, to just drop everything that he holds dear and fight for the opposition? To even hang out with and be part of a demonstration? That just feels wrong.

So, basically, I have given this film 3 of 5 stars. It's soundtrack saves it from being a total waste, it's actors also do a fair amount. I can not forgive movies that have glaring anachronisms, or incorrect historical vibe. Like most critics when the movie came out, I neither like nor hate it. It's there. So it gets the middle of the road rating.