Alice’s Restaurant Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A folksinger’s Thanksgiving dinner leads to a baffling littering arrest that hilariously derails his attempts to get drafted for Vietnam.

🍿 Alice’s Restaurant: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Folk Singer’s Journey and the Draft

Based on Arlo Guthrie’s autobiographical song, “Alice’s Restaurant” follows a young Arlo as he navigates life in the late 1960s. Facing the Vietnam-era draft, Arlo explores alternative lifestyles and tries to avoid military service. His journey takes him across the country, connecting with friends and encountering the era’s counterculture.

Thanksgiving and the “Massacree”

A pivotal event unfolds during a Thanksgiving visit with friends Alice and Ray in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Tasked with disposing of garbage, Arlo and a friend find the town dump closed. They decide to leave the trash elsewhere, leading to an unexpected encounter with local law enforcement, particularly Officer Obie. This incident becomes the focus of a seemingly minor crime that takes on larger significance.

The Bureaucracy and the Group W Bench

The littering charge, though minor, creates complications for Arlo when he reports for his Army draft physical. The bureaucratic process, including a memorable segment involving the “Group W bench,” highlights the absurdities of the system. Arlo’s brush with the law impacts his draft eligibility, connecting the personal and political in his story.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Arlo (Arlo Guthrie): The young folk singer whose real-life experiences navigating the late 1960s counterculture and the draft are chronicled.
• Alice (Patricia Quinn): The woman who, with her husband, provides a communal home and restaurant that serves as a gathering place for friends and outcasts.
• Ray (James Broderick): Alice’s husband and the co-owner of the commune, depicted as an energetic but sometimes troubled figure trying to maintain their unconventional life.
• Officer Obie (William Obanhein): The real-life police chief who plays himself, famously enforcing the law during the central littering incident that affects Arlo’s draft status.
• Shelly (Michael McClanathan): A member of the commune grappling with severe drug addiction, whose struggles bring a somber reality to the group’s lifestyle.
• Woody (Joseph Boley): Arlo’s famous father, the legendary folk singer, whose declining health serves as a poignant backdrop to Arlo’s journey.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Officer Obie: “Larry, do you think this is the kind of thing you want to see?” – Said with mock horror to his assistant Larry, showing him a magnified police photo of the garbage crime scene, highlighting the absurdity of the investigation.
• Arlo: “And there was fifteen people on the Group W bench, and they was mean, nasty, ugly-lookin’ people.” – Part of Arlo’s narration describing the bench where those convicted of crimes that might disqualify them from the draft were seated at the induction center.
• Sergeant: “Turn your hat… and cough.” – An instruction given by a sergeant during Arlo’s draft physical, representative of the dehumanizing and often absurd procedures at the induction center.
• Arlo: “I wanna see blood ‘n’ guts ‘n’ gore ‘n’ veins! I wanna kill, man!” – Arlo’s satirical and over-the-top answer to a psychiatrist’s question during his draft physical, intended to sound insane enough to be rejected.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2 million
• Domestic Gross: $13,991,240
• Worldwide Gross: None

💥 Alice’s Restaurant Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ after knowing the song forever! It’s definitely not your typical movie, and yeah, it kind of just meanders like Arlo seems to do through life. But honestly? I kinda loved that about it. It felt like stepping right into that late ’60s world – the clothes, the vibe, the whole thing. The part where he gets arrested for dumping the garbage is exactly as hilarious and ridiculous as the song makes it sound, maybe even more so seeing it happen! The draft board scene cracked me up too; M. Emmett Walsh is gold there. And seeing Arlo with Pete Seeger visiting Woody in the hospital? That hit me right in the feels, really powerful moment. It’s uneven, sure, and sometimes a bit slow, but as a look at that unique time and the people living it, I found it totally captivating.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the song ‘Alice’s Restaurant Massacree'”
  • “Viewers interested in 1960s counterculture and history”
  • “Fans of folk music and Woody/Arlo Guthrie”
  • “Those interested in Arthur Penn’s filmography”
  • “Viewers who appreciate episodic, character-driven dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of drug use (heroin addiction)”
  • “Themes of social rebellion and authority conflict”
  • “Portrayal of the draft and anti-war sentiment”
  • “Brief instances of violence or aggression”

Professional Reviews

• Review Synthesis: “”Alice’s Restaurant” is a fascinating time capsule, capturing the 60s counterculture with both affection and a clear-eyed look at its flaws. While the central narrative can feel disjointed, the film excels in its quieter moments and the surprisingly engaging performances from the real-life subjects. It’s less a strict adaptation of the song and more an atmospheric portrait of an era wrestling with itself.
• Review Synthesis: “Arthur Penn’s follow-up to ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ is an uneven mix, veering from laugh-out-loud absurdism (the littering and draft scenes are gems) to heavy, melancholic drama. Arlo Guthrie has a natural, understated charm, and the film offers a unique glimpse into the era’s idealism and its eventual fade. It’s a film that resonates more as a historical document than a perfectly structured story.
• Review Synthesis: “Come for the iconic Thanksgiving story, stay for the rich, if sometimes meandering, depiction of hippie life around the church. The interactions feel authentic, and the film isn’t afraid to show the darker sides of drug use and relationship struggles alongside the free spirit. Worth watching for the period detail, the music, and moments of genuine humor and pathos.

Audience Reactions

Many found it a captivating time capsule of the 1960s counterculture.: The scenes directly related to the song (littering, draft board) are consistently praised for their humor and accuracy. The music and performances by Arlo Guthrie and guests like Pete Seeger are also highly valued. The film’s ability to capture the era’s look and feel, including both idealism and darker aspects, is a common point of discussion.

Overall Consensus: A mixed bag that is highly valued as a historical time capsule and for its humorous adaptation of Arlo Guthrie’s song, but often criticized for its uneven tone and meandering plot outside of the core events.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Actual Stockbridge Sheriff William Obanhein, upon learning his character ‘Officer Obie’ was based on him, demanded to play the role himself, stating, ‘If anyone is going to make a fool out of me, it might as well be me!'”
• “The film was originally rated ‘R’ upon its release in 1969 but was re-edited in 1970 to receive a ‘GP’ (General Patronage, later PG) rating from the MPAA.”
• “The real church building used as Ray and Alice’s home is still standing in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and has become a notable landmark for fans.”
• “Real-life folk legends Pete Seeger and Lee Hays make cameo appearances playing themselves, joining Arlo Guthrie in a scene with his father Woody Guthrie.”

🖥️ How to Watch Alice’s Restaurant?

The classic 1969 film “Alice’s Restaurant” may not be readily available on major subscription streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Max. However, you can often find it available for digital purchase or rental through platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube Movies, or Vudu. Check these platforms for the most current availability and pricing options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Alice’s Restaurant, you might like these similar films:

• Easy Rider (1969): A quintessential counterculture film that captures the generational divide, disillusionment, and search for freedom through a road trip narrative, much like ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ reflects the era’s spirit and challenges.
• Harold and Maude (1971): Explores themes of non-conformity, life affirmation, and challenging societal norms through the quirky relationship between a death-obsessed young man and an eccentric older woman, sharing a similar anti-establishment sensibility.
• Woodstock (1970): A documentary capturing the iconic music festival, serving as a direct time capsule of the late 1960s hippie counterculture, music scene, and spirit that is portrayed in ‘Alice’s Restaurant’.
• Almost Famous (2000): A coming-of-age story set slightly later (early 1970s) that delves into the world of music, freedom, and the search for identity among a community of artists and travelers, echoing the themes of self-discovery in a changing world.
• Five Easy Pieces (1970): Features a restless protagonist struggling against his conventional background and drifting through life searching for meaning, reflecting a similar sense of alienation and rootlessness within the same historical period.

🛒 Alice’s Restaurant Related Products

• Alice’s Restaurant 50th Anniversary Massacree: A rerecording of the classic story-song released for its 50th anniversary, offering a modern take on the iconic narrative.
• This Land Is Your Land: The Story of Woody Guthrie and ‘America’s Most Famous Song’: Explore the life and legacy of Arlo’s legendary father, Woody Guthrie, providing crucial context for a key relationship in the film.
• Volkswagen T1 Samba Bus Model Kit: Build a detailed model of the iconic VW Bus, a symbol of counterculture and adventure prominently featured in the movie.
• Tie-Dye T-Shirt Kit: Create your own vibrant, era-appropriate apparel and embrace the DIY spirit of the 1960s.

🎧 Soundtrack

Alice’s Restaurant features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” – performed by Arlo Guthrie
• “Pastures of Plenty” – performed by Pete Seeger (uncredited) and Arlo Guthrie (uncredited)
• “Car Song” – performed by Arlo Guthrie (uncredited) and Pete Seeger (uncredited)
• “Songs to Aging Children Come” – performed by Joni Mitchell (featured during a scene)
• “Chimes of Freedom” – performed by Bob Dylan (Reported to be featured, though not explicitly in credits)
• “Motorcycle Song” – performed by Arlo Guthrie (Likely featured, given themes)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Arlo Guthrie talks about his most famous song

Ever wondered about the real story behind ‘Alice’s Restaurant’? Get the scoop directly from Arlo Guthrie himself as he talks about his famous song – it’s super cool to hear the source material explained by the man who lived it!

Exploring Alice’s Restaurant

Want to understand more about the movie ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ beyond just watching it? This exploration dives into the film itself, offering some interesting takes and context – I think it adds a nice layer after seeing the movie!

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