Almost Famous
Cameron Crowe’s Love Letter
Main Cast: Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson
Director: Cameron Crowe
Almost Famous features a story line that flows from a gifted writer with decades of experience and mingles with brilliant performances from a cast that is itself almost famous. Add solid directing from the author, technical expertise in the subject matter with a poignant plot and viewers will want to watch Almost Famous more than once.
Defying Description
Star Patrick Fugit described Almost Famous as “a typical Cameron Crowe movie. It’s not a comedy or drama, but both.” Director Crowe who has a fabled career as a pop writer and who directed Jerry Maguire, called this movie his “love letter” to the industry in the documentary included with the DVD.
Equally exploring awkward adolescence and bravado, Crowe journeys with the viewer back to his childhood when the sounds of music and a gift for writing merged into a legendary writing assignment from Rolling Stone. Crowe’s alter-ego character, William Miller, is writing for local music papers and befriends Creem editor Lester Bangs when Rolling Stone comes calling.
Miller heads out on the road with Stillwater – a band with one world class caliber musician and his almost-famous friends. Miller’s journey of maturation as he travels with the band for several weeks is a warm coming-of-age story made even more enjoyable by the superb performances.
Patrick Fugit
Almost Famous Cast
Academy Award-nominated Kate Hudson deserved the many accolades she received for her portrayal of Penny Lane, the band aid who disclaim being a groupie and breaks her own rules by falling in love with Stillwater’s lead guitarist. While her newfound womanhood is exploring the decadence of being a rock mamma, her teenage self struggles to keep the well-grounded William in her life.
Frances McDormand deserved an Oscar nod for her role as William’s mother. As in her other projects, McDormand became the bedrock for most of the film’s pivotal scenes. Her turn as a college professor who intellectually understands the changing world but can’t accept its impact on those she loves is a joy.
Every major cast player is noteworthy in some regard. The band members were also realistic considering that they were actors, not musicians. Billy Crudup clearly benefited by learning guitar from technical advisor Peter Frampton, who is rewarded with a tiny cameo. As Heart’s Nancy Wilson, aka Mrs. Cameron Crowe, said, “Billy learned fast, but he had Peter as a guitar tech.”
With stalwarts such as Wilson and Frampton aboard, Almost Famous‘ music speaks the language of its day. Elton John’s Tiny Dancer, a soft rock staple for two decades, is resurrected as a cool song in one of the most memorable music scenes in recent memory. John’s Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters also serves as the musical bed for a series of climactic events and Yes’ Roundabout is the perfect arena crowd warm-up song.
Keep your eyes peeled for even more stars including one of Jason Lee’s first roles without Kevin Smith, a 19 year old Zooey Deschanel and an even younger Anna Paquin. Almost Famous features Jimmy Fallon’s first role, Rainn Wilson’s second role and a hilarious performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman as critic Bangs. This was the second of three movies Gail Levin cast for Crowe and among her most inspired work.
Crowe the child writer lived his love letter. Crowe the adult director immortalized it. You’ll simply love it.
photo by the1secondfilm.com
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