Review of Almost Famous (2000) by Jens T — 28 Aug 2011

Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous is one of very few movies you can call perfect. It's a very reflecting coming of age drama about the burden of growing to fast, and also the people that goes opposite, not taking responsibilities for anyone. Roger Ebert ranked Almost Famous as the best film of the year.

Almost Famous takes place in 1973 a short time after the musical rock revolution begun to spring out. But as many other products and celebrities the question about money or music is raised, and some rock fans can hear what's real and what's a duplication made for the marked. One of this rock fans is the 15-years-old William Miller (Patrick Fugit) who's on his time off is a music journalist. His passion for rock music was from his rebellious sister Anita (Zooey Deschanel) who have moved out to find the meaning in life. She leaves her entire record collection in a box under Will's bed leaving a note that says the records will liberate him. Another fun fact about Will is that in school age he's actually 18-year-old and is about to receive his high school diploma. His mother Elaine (Frances McDormand) who's also his teacher, want's him to be a lawyer, because of his intelligence, she don't want him to waste his life on music, and she's specially afraid what kind of people he will hang around. After sending a copy of all his journalistic work to music journalist Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who gives him an assignment to cover a Black Sabbath concert. At first, the security guard wouldn't let him, but with a bunch of groupies, lead by a girl who goes under the name Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) lets Will get inside along with them, to meat the warm up band called Stillwater, and the members of the band seems to grow found of him and they even invite him on their tour. After Will success with the review, he got a call from Rolling Stone, to follow them on their tour and then get an interview with Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup) the band leader, but it's easier said than done. Will have to keep himself objective and don't let the emotions take control. He also fall for Penny who a soul that would not tame that easy. How will it end?

Almost Famous is truly a delight. It's a serious travel through life, when a boy becomes a man, and have to think like one. The hard choses in live, education or fun. Objectivity versus subjectivity. All the characters in this picture is all lovable, funny. They have feelings every one. They are all people we can sympathize with. There's no black and white, there only colors. What an amazing film. The year 2000 was a great author year, with both Almost Famous and Wonder Boys. A big thumbs up.