Almost Famous (B+ or 3/4 stars)
'Almost Famous' (written & directed by Cameron Crowe, Jerry Maguire, Say Anything) takes a look back at the world of rock 'n roll from the early 1970s. 15 yr. old red-head William Miller (Patrick Fugit), a meek, but brilliant San Diego high school student gets the chance of a lifetime - to spend a few weeks on the road with his favorite band, Stillwater, & write an article about them for Rolling Stone magazine. His mentor, rock critic Lester Bangs (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), gives him one major piece of advice, "You can't make friends with the rock stars." {haha}
But we all know that won't happen, and William gets seduced into the lifestyle by the group's charismatic guitarist, Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup). William also falls in love with one of Stillwater's groupies, Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), who has a "thing" going on with Russell. Meanwhile, back home, William's mother (Frances McDormand), tries her best to keep tabs on his whereabouts by calling the hotels where he's staying, leaving the same redundant message, "Don't use drugs!" 'Almost Famous' views the typically-hard '70s rock scene through a fairly nostalgic lens; softening many of the uglier aspects as it was during the bygone era. This film is not intended to tell some sad, depressing tell-all type of story. Instead, it's a genial, upbeat, & endearing movie that wraps around us like a warm blanket.
'Almost Famous' touches upon a few standard music-related issues: the push-&-pull struggle btwn. staying true to one's art while accepting commercial success, and the difficulties faced by band mates whose constant contact with each another creates an inevitable source of friction. That said, the film isn't really about the '70s music scene. It is predominantly William's coming-of-age trials & tribulations. The narrative's central element is its depiction of how the socially immature William comes to grips with who he is & he'll become. For him, the trip with Stillwater is about exploring his sexuality & learning how to live without his mom's protection. In the process, he has sex, says "no" to drugs, forms some incredible friendships, & even saves a life.
'Almost Famous' is chock-full of memorable characters. William is our eyes, ears & heart of the film and, newcomer Patrick Fugit does well to make William relatable & likeable. Kate Hudson gives an almost mercurial performance as Penny Lane, the free-spirit at the center of the film's romantic triangle. Hudson is a cheery presence and, her character is the type that lights up every room she enters -- good casting. Frances McDormand has some of the best scenes as William's mother; struggling to find the right balance btwn. smothering him & giving him his freedom. I enjoyed Phillip Seymour Hoffman's Lester Bangs (he gives a cool speech about the benefits of being 'uncool'). And both Billy Crudup & Jason Lee are solid as the rock stars.
Another star of the film is the great rock soundtrack (with original music by Nancy Wilson, Ann Wilson, & Peter Frampton). I also appreciate the period production values that enhance the illusion that we're really watching the early '70s. The mood, vibe, performances & look of the film all feel completely genuine to the era.
'Almost Famous' is a feel-good movie; showing the relative innocence of that time. Yes, first loves can make you melancholy. And yes, the initial separation btwn. parent & child is painful. But on the whole, this film mostly focuses on enchanting us with witty writing, good performances, & nice depiction of the '70s rock era. It's gentle, stylish ... I could go on. My main issue with this film is that it simply didn't blow me away. There's poignancy, bittersweet-ness ... but I felt that the film lacked some propulsion. It's lightweight, and lacks danger. You see drugs, groupies, rock star egos, rock & roll music ... but there's something almost mundane about it all. I was left a bit unfulfilled at the end; even though I know I liked everything I saw. So yeah, solid movie -- I just don't quite understand the critical adoration.
But we all know that won't happen, and William gets seduced into the lifestyle by the group's charismatic guitarist, Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup). William also falls in love with one of Stillwater's groupies, Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), who has a "thing" going on with Russell. Meanwhile, back home, William's mother (Frances McDormand), tries her best to keep tabs on his whereabouts by calling the hotels where he's staying, leaving the same redundant message, "Don't use drugs!" 'Almost Famous' views the typically-hard '70s rock scene through a fairly nostalgic lens; softening many of the uglier aspects as it was during the bygone era. This film is not intended to tell some sad, depressing tell-all type of story. Instead, it's a genial, upbeat, & endearing movie that wraps around us like a warm blanket.
'Almost Famous' touches upon a few standard music-related issues: the push-&-pull struggle btwn. staying true to one's art while accepting commercial success, and the difficulties faced by band mates whose constant contact with each another creates an inevitable source of friction. That said, the film isn't really about the '70s music scene. It is predominantly William's coming-of-age trials & tribulations. The narrative's central element is its depiction of how the socially immature William comes to grips with who he is & he'll become. For him, the trip with Stillwater is about exploring his sexuality & learning how to live without his mom's protection. In the process, he has sex, says "no" to drugs, forms some incredible friendships, & even saves a life.
'Almost Famous' is chock-full of memorable characters. William is our eyes, ears & heart of the film and, newcomer Patrick Fugit does well to make William relatable & likeable. Kate Hudson gives an almost mercurial performance as Penny Lane, the free-spirit at the center of the film's romantic triangle. Hudson is a cheery presence and, her character is the type that lights up every room she enters -- good casting. Frances McDormand has some of the best scenes as William's mother; struggling to find the right balance btwn. smothering him & giving him his freedom. I enjoyed Phillip Seymour Hoffman's Lester Bangs (he gives a cool speech about the benefits of being 'uncool'). And both Billy Crudup & Jason Lee are solid as the rock stars.
Another star of the film is the great rock soundtrack (with original music by Nancy Wilson, Ann Wilson, & Peter Frampton). I also appreciate the period production values that enhance the illusion that we're really watching the early '70s. The mood, vibe, performances & look of the film all feel completely genuine to the era.
'Almost Famous' is a feel-good movie; showing the relative innocence of that time. Yes, first loves can make you melancholy. And yes, the initial separation btwn. parent & child is painful. But on the whole, this film mostly focuses on enchanting us with witty writing, good performances, & nice depiction of the '70s rock era. It's gentle, stylish ... I could go on. My main issue with this film is that it simply didn't blow me away. There's poignancy, bittersweet-ness ... but I felt that the film lacked some propulsion. It's lightweight, and lacks danger. You see drugs, groupies, rock star egos, rock & roll music ... but there's something almost mundane about it all. I was left a bit unfulfilled at the end; even though I know I liked everything I saw. So yeah, solid movie -- I just don't quite understand the critical adoration.