Magic Trip

Me 10

This was the one feature from the Newport Film Festival that was a must see for me. Sadly Deb had scheduling problems and I saw it alone. I’m excited for her to see it... and for you too.

I’m a big fan of Kesey and the gang, been to the farm, seen the bus, the whole shot. Somewhere I have some footage of Kesey in his fields on VHS. So, like a lot of folks, I was fully aware of the origins and destiny of this footage. What I didn’t know was that the whole shootin’, match was turned over to a couple capable individuals (Alex Gibney and Alison Ellwood) who turned all that raw color into a delightful movie.

It was exactly the movie it should be. It started by establishing who’s who, where they are, how they got there and where they’re heading, why and how. Then you leave. This is a fabulous trip across America, filled with sincere protagonists and onlookers. Just seeing (and remembering) how we all looked back then (1964), the cars, buildings and roads had a different feel to them back then, a little more organic, less corporate look. It was before designer labels on everything, before the paranoia of drugs and those who use them, back when we all had a little longer leashes.

Anyone who has an interest in the Beat Generation, the Hippie Movement or just the general origin of the species will be delighted buy this. General audiences will too. I mean, I’m biased, but this look at our country by a handful of intrepid explorers is fascinating. The protagonists of the time are revealed with an intimacy I never experienced from reading. Everything I’ve ever read on or by these folks (which is pretty comprehensive) now has a clarity that escaped me before. I mean, I know what frenetic is, but now I know what it looks like too. I can’t say enough good about seeing this film and recommend you find a way to see it too.