Released to TV in 2000 and directed by Peter Werner, "The 70s" details the major events and hit songs of the decade through the eyes of four protagonists who graduate from Kent State University in 1970. The four are played by Vinessa Shaw, Brad Rowe, Amy Smart and Guy Torry.
People look down on this television production because the story threads that link the various events are brisk and lack depth; but if the writers offered more depth it would be a 4-5 hour movie. Besides, I felt like I knew the characters by the end; they're not one dimensional and are all likable in one way or another. Sure, there are some dubious melodramatics and acting, but "The 70s" entertainingly accomplishes what it sets out to do – highlight the significant happenings of the decade, starting with the Kent State shootings of May 4th, 1970, and on to Watergate, feminism, disco, the Guyana cult tragedy and so on, all to a soundtrack of 70's radio hits.
On the babe front, Shaw is intelligent and winsome whereas Smart is flighty, but babelicious. They coulda done more with them, but they do enough. Rowe comes across as a low-budget Brad Pitt while Torry is a compelling choice to represent black culture, his wife too (Leslie Silva).
The film runs 170 minutes and was shot in Southern California with historical footage from all over the USA.
GRADE: B-
