Almost Famous

Cameron Crowe's career trajectory reads like a true Hollywood story--he started out as a 15-year-old writing for Rolling Stone magazine and eventually ended up writing, directing, and acting in movies. His poignant writing style reflects the nostalgia and humor of an era, with bits of pop culture and musical history and trivia woven in. This has proven to be a highly successful formula, as in the 1989 emo love story SAY ANYTHING, and the '90s grunge rocker hit SINGLES.

Crowe's ALMOST FAMOUS is a semiautobiographical account that tells the story of a teen journalist, William Miller (Patrick Fugit), who goes on the road with an up-and-coming rock band called Stillwater. Though Miller's mentor, legendary rock critic Lester Bangs (portrayed with humor and heart by Philip Seymour Hoffman), cautions him not to befriend the musicians, Miller takes it a step further and befriends both the band and the Band-Aids--the girls who hang around with the band because they love the music. Miller is in for a wild ride around the country, to thrilling concerts and debauched backyard parties, living the life many 15-year olds dream about. He discovers that beneath the glittery fatade of rock stardom are sometimes bittersweet life lessons and mild doses of heartbreak. More impacting are the friendships he finds with his glamorous travel companions. Newcomer Fugit is the perfect William Miller: baby-faced, slightly gawky, and an awestruck observer. Kate Hudson sparkles as Penny Lane, the leader of the Band-Aids, and Frances McDormand delivers a stellar performance as Elaine, Miller's protective and mildly paranoid mother. In the tradition of SAY ANYTHING and JERRY MAGUIRE, Crowe's coming-of-age tale is intelligent, well-written, and memorable.

"...[Patrick Fugit] is remarkable in his first film role....Ms. Hudson and Mr. Crudup inhabit their roles with such mellow ease that the film opens up around them....In addition to Ms. McDormand and Mr. Hoffman, [Jason Lee and Fairuza Balk] are especially memorable..." - New York Times

"...Kate Hudson gets a chance to shine....[The] strengths here are the characters, performances and the command with which Crowe sets up his story..."--3.5 out of 4 stars - USA Today

"...Terrifically authentic and heartfelt..." -- Rating: A- - Entertainment Weekly

Ranked #4 in Entertainment Weekly's "Owen Gleiberman's BEST MOVIES OF 2000" - Entertainment Weekly

"...Always a fluent writer of dialogue, Crowe puts some rip-roaring tirades in [the film]..." - Sight and Sound

"...Not only a glowing, effectively realized tribute to both the era and the music, but also a beautifully crafted coming-of-age drama..." -- 4 out of 5 stars - Total Film

"...Something to cherish and enjoy, an intimate yet universal film that will delight you and involve your heart..." - Los Angeles Times

"...Oh, what a lovely film....ALMOST FAMOUS is funny and touching in so many different ways....It's a coming-of-age film, about an idealistic kid who sees the real world, witnesses its cruelties and heartbreaks, and yet finds much room for hope..." - Chicago Sun-Times

"An unusually sweet-natured take on the early-1970s rock scene..." - Sight and Sound

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