"Taking Off" was Czech director Milos Forman's first movie in exile, his American debut. The story behind this film is an incredible one: having stirred up controversy with his last native film, 1967's "The Fireman's Ball", Forman was all but blacklisted over there and had to seek refuge in the best country he could find. Forman (with co-writer John Guare) threw himself into the current movie with the same passion he did his previous efforts. Trouble was, the Universal execs didn't like the script, saying (accurately) that no one would see it; so the company gave Forman a nominal deal that he only take in a share of the profits. The film flopped, and Forman, trapped in NYC, was left with only the sketchiest knowledge of the English language and a year-long struggle to obtain a green card. He was fortunate enough to have a tiny handful of fellow countrymen as connections, and he would firmly establish himself in 1975.
"Taking Off" involves a runaway teen (Linnea Heacock) whose parents (Buck Henry and Lynn Carlin), in her absence, try with the assistance of other parents to connect with the younger generation. This partly is done at a "reefer clinic" whose professor (Vincent Schiavelli, who'd instantly become director Forman's chief ensemble player) shows the grownups how to smoke a joint. Paul Benedict, who'd go on to become the English neighbor in the sitcom "The Jeffersons", is another cast member.
The film's title can refer to the youngster's running away, or to the parents' initiation/indoctrination, or even the penultimate scene which I won't reveal to you.
The present movie, shot on a shoestring budget, never made it to US home video and, through the decades, only was shown sporadically on syndicated TV. I'd speculate that a few of the supporting players--including Carly Simon--have held out for a higher royalty rate. I was wise enough to tape it first on Beta, then transfer it to VHS and later DVD-R.
"Taking Off" involves a runaway teen (Linnea Heacock) whose parents (Buck Henry and Lynn Carlin), in her absence, try with the assistance of other parents to connect with the younger generation. This partly is done at a "reefer clinic" whose professor (Vincent Schiavelli, who'd instantly become director Forman's chief ensemble player) shows the grownups how to smoke a joint. Paul Benedict, who'd go on to become the English neighbor in the sitcom "The Jeffersons", is another cast member.
The film's title can refer to the youngster's running away, or to the parents' initiation/indoctrination, or even the penultimate scene which I won't reveal to you.
The present movie, shot on a shoestring budget, never made it to US home video and, through the decades, only was shown sporadically on syndicated TV. I'd speculate that a few of the supporting players--including Carly Simon--have held out for a higher royalty rate. I was wise enough to tape it first on Beta, then transfer it to VHS and later DVD-R.