1969

Writer/director Ernest Thompson (On Golden Pond) wants to paint a convincing portrait of the counterculture life in 1969, explore the effects of the Vietnam War on two families, and fashion a love story, all in 96 minutes. It doesn't wash. Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Downey, Jr. play best friends who attend college together, drop out and see America together, and are both haunted by the specter of the draft board. Sutherland's brother has gone off to Vietnam, with the blessing of his pro-war father (Bruce Dern), and the misgivings of his sensitive mother (Mariette Hartley). His forthcoming death is only one of the entirely obvious clichés in the film. When Sutherland falls in love with Downey's sister (the gifted young actress Winona Ryder), the story picks up a little bit. But then Downey is thrown in jail for trying to tamper with his draft report, Sutherland's brother comes home in a body bag, and the entire town marches down main street to demand that Downey be released--which he immediately is. Drop jaw; roll credits. 1969 could have been a good film, if it had either narrowed its focus or expanded its running time; as it is it bites off more than it can chew--and tries to cover up with music (which, admittedly, is a powerhouse soundtrack, featuring Hendrix, Cream, the Stones, Country Joe and The Fish, etc.). Buy the soundtrack, but forget the movie. (R. Pitman) [DVD/Blu-ray Review—Feb. 24, 2015—Olive, 95 min., R, DVD: $24.95, Blu-ray: $29.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1988's 1969 features a fine transfer and a DTS-HD 2.0 soundtrack, but no extras. Bottom line: although it looks sharp, 1969 remains a superficial portrait of a turbulent time.]