Almost Famous

This is a really great movie from writer/director Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Vanilla Sky) about a 15 year old journalist who is hired by Rolling Stone magazine to do an article about a band called Stillwater, and is sent on the road with them to get the piece. It stars Billy Crudip, Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, and Frances McDormand.

It's basically a coming-of-age story set in the 1970's, and it's main focus is of course the music. Music is very important in this film, after all thats what its about. You've got a bunch of great classic rock tracks here, as well as a couple original tracks for the made up band Stillwater (basically a fake Led Zepplin) which were written by Crowe himself. In fact, as one of the deleted scenes, there's a whole 9 minute segment where William, the main character, plays Stairway to Heaven for his mom to convince her to let him go on the assignment. It plays the whole entire song, but the thing is you have to supply the song because the makes couldnt get the rights to the song. There's some really great scenes here, one of my favorites being when everybodys on the tour bus and the bus starts singing "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John.

The acting here is all-around great, especially from Crudup, Hudson, and McDormand. I thought Fugit did a fair job as William, but there were some parts where his acting just really seemed forced and stupid. All in all though he did a great job of portraying the characters innocence (something which kinda dissolves over the film :) ). Crudup plays Russel, the lead singer. Hudson is Penny Lane, a "band-aid", definetly NOT a groupie, who follows around the band is their "biggest fan". She and Russel have a sort of special relationship that we see throughout the film, and William soons begins to have feelings for her too. McDormand plays Williams crazy-ass mom who is absoutely paranoid about him not doing drugs and coming home for graduation. She really gets on your nerves after awhile to tell you the truth, but I guess thats just good acting (she was hysterical in Fargo btw).

What's really cool is that this story is based on Cameron Crowe's experiences. Basically, this is his story. He WAS working for Rolling Stone at 15, and he WAS sent to interview a band, and eventually became good friends with them. Maybe that's why the film has that really special touch to it that's hard to describe. It's just a really special film that should be seen by music lovers all around.

this sounds like a good film, I'll have to check it out

It's a great film. I keep trying to find the director's cut, but it's pretty much impossible, unless you are buying it online.

I saw it years ago, but yeah, it was awesome. Patrick Fugit was absolutely perfect for that role. I wasn't really into music from that time when I watched it, although now I am, so I bet I could appreciate it a lot more. ;)

And wasn't there a Jimmy Fallon with a beard? Cool.

One of my favorite movies ever.

I saw it a few years ago too -- like kikimm said, I wasn't into the kind of music I am now (I was pretty young). But it's a great movie, yes. I'd definitely like to watch it again now and understand it better, hopefully.