Review of Alice's Restaurant (1969) by Paula K — 22 Sep 2009
In 1967, 20 year old Arlo Guthrie, (son of Woody Guthrie), composed a song called 'Alice's Restaurant Massacree' which told a true story, although very exaggerated, which happened during Thanksgiving 1965, the song lasted 18 minutes.
Director Arthur Penn, who had just come off Bonnie and Clyde (1967), saw potential in the album for a film version, and so did Arlo. So, they went and made a film of the album of what happened at Alice's Restaurant.
The film shows Arlo Guthrie, a long haired hippie who is trying to avoid the draft by moving around from school to school. He soon returns home to his friends, Alice (Pat Quinn), Roger (Geoff Outlaw) and artist Shelley (Michael McClanathan) and Ray Brock (James Broderick), their home is a deconsecrated church in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, which ultimately becomes Alice's Restaurant.
They find themselves in trouble with the local police, especially after they dump months worth of rubbish off a cliffside. The film is a product of it's time, and shows the counter culture movement for what it was, harmless and standing up for what they believe in.
It has some good laughs, and it has a real heart as well.
This review of Alice's Restaurant (1969) was written by Paula K on 22 Sep 2009.
Alice's Restaurant has generally received positive reviews.
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