Taking Off (film)

Taking Off
poster
Directed by	Milos Forman
Written by	Jean-Claude Carrière Milos Forman John Guare Jon Klein
Starring	Lynn Carlin Buck Henry
Release date(s)	28 March 1971 (NYC)
Running time	93 mins
Country	United States
Language	English

Taking Off is a 1971 film comedy. It was Czech director Milos Forman's first American film. It tells the story of a group of parents whose children have run away from home. The parents take the opportunity to rediscover their youth.

It features a number of memorable set pieces, including an open-mic record label audition which is woven throughout the film, featuring a number of female singers (including a young Carly Simon and a haunting acoustic ballad by a then-unknown Kathy Bates) performing old standards, folk ballads, and rock songs; a meeting in which a group of generally middle-class conservative parents are taught how to smoke marijuana; and a raucuous but sweet game of strip poker played by the adults.

It was written by Forman in collaboration with John Guare, along with Jean-Claude Carriere and John Klein.

Part of the movie also takes place at a Tina Turner concert.

Cast

• Lynn Carlin - Lynn Tyne
• Buck Henry - Larry Tyne
• Georgia Engel - Margot
• Tony Harvey - Tony
• Audra Lindley - Ann Lockston
• Paul Benedict - Ben Lockston
• Vincent Schiavelli - Schiavelli
• David Gittler - Jamie
• Ike Turner - Himself
• Tina Turner - Herself
• Linnea Heacock - Jeannie Tyne
• Rae Allen - Mrs. Divito
• Frank Berle - Committee Man
• Philip Bruns - Policeman (as Phillip Bruns)
• Gail Busman - Nancy Lockston
• Carly Simon - Audition Singer
• Kathy Bates - Audition Singer (as Bobo Bates)
• Shellen Lubin - Audition Singer

Awards

The film won the Grand Prix at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival.

See also

• Taking Off (soundtrack)

External links

• Taking Off at the Internet Movie Database

Awards
Preceded by Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion	Grand Prix Spécial du Jury, Cannes 1971 tied with Johnny Got His Gun	Succeeded by Solaris