grizpoet Review of Celebration at Big Sur

Celebration at Big Sur (1971)

Interesting snapshot that gets under the surface almost despite itself

[29 December 2005]

I caught this film late night many years ago. I've seen it a couple times since. Their is more than one edit I assume because the hot tub scene was cut in one version I saw. The musical performances vary from spotty to captivating. Jonathon Sebastion's description of his "trip" to the Dead ranch is funny, revealing, and at points a bit incoherent. Stills throws a hissy fit that exposes his more self-indulgent persona, and Joni Mitchell's performance of her at-the-time brand new tune Woodstock (more famous in the CSNY version) makes the whole film worth a watch. My only question is where's the DVD of this unique psychedelic snapshot?