Plot
A high-school boy is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone Magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies it on their concert tour.
Release Year: 2000
Rating: 8.0/10 (117,847 voted)
Critic's Score: 90/100
Director:
Cameron Crowe
Stars: Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson
Storyline William Miller is a 15 year old kid, hired by Rolling Stone magazine to tour with, and write about Stillwater, an up and coming rock band. This wonderfully witty coming of age film follows William as he falls face first to confront life, love, and lingo.
Cast: Billy Crudup
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Russell Hammond
Frances McDormand
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Elaine Miller
Kate Hudson
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Penny Lane
Jason Lee
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Jeff Bebe
Patrick Fugit
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William Miller
Zooey Deschanel
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Anita Miller
Michael Angarano
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Young William
Anna Paquin
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Polexia Aphrodisia
Fairuza Balk
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Sapphire
Noah Taylor
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Dick Roswell
John Fedevich
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Ed Vallencourt
Mark Kozelek
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Larry Fellows
Philip Seymour Hoffman
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Lester Bangs
Liz Stauber
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Leslie
Jimmy Fallon
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Dennis Hope
Taglines:
Experience it. Enjoy it. Just don't fall for it.
Trivia:
When Penny Lane is driving William to the hotel to meet Stillwater, there is a reflection on the windshield that resembles the cover of Pink Floyd's album "Dark Side of the Moon".
Goofs:
Continuity:
When William is sitting in the bathtub, Penny Lane comes in to use the bathroom. Startled, William knocks his notes off the edge of the tub. In the next scene, where we are looking straight at Penny Lane, the notes are still lined up on the edge of the tub.
Quotes:
[first lines]
Elaine Miller:
I can't believe you wanna be Atticus Finch. Oh, that makes me feel so good. Young William:
I like him.
User Review
One of my favourite movies of all-time
Rating: 10/10
Finally, a movie worth the full price of a ticket! Almost Famous is
Cameron Crowe's semi-autobigraphical story of an aspiring rock
journalist who goes on tour with a band in the 1970's. If it sounds
familiar, it's probably because the story is hardly new. There have
been dozens of movies made about the rock and roll lifestyle: the
drugs, the sex, the fights, and all the bumps on the road to success.
So what sets Almost Famous apart? The acting, for one. Frances
McDormand was brilliant as William's (newcomer Patrick Fugit)
well-meaning but overbearing mother. Fugit, for his part, had a
convincing performance as the shy, awkward teenager struggling to be a
journalist but at the same time aching to belong. Kate Hudson, in her
breakout role as groupie "Penny Lane", gave her character depth beyond
what might have been a limiting role. And Billy Crudup, as band
Stillwater's charismatic lead guitarist, shines. Jason Lee is always
good, and as Stillwater's lead singer, this role is no exception. And I
can't review this film without giving a shout-out to the chronically
and criminally-underrated Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals every
scene he's in with his portrayal of legendary rock journalist Lester
Bangs.
The writing in the film also contributes to its effect. Many of the
great lines belong to McDormand but there are plenty of others to go
around. In addition, the music of the era can't be beat. Everything
from Simon and Garfunkle to Alvin and the Chipmunks shows up at some
point in the movie's extensive musical score.
The plot may not be particularly original, but it rings true. I of
course am approaching this review as a music fan and someone interested
in the industry. Nonetheless, I believe that even people who couldn't
care less about rock music will enjoy this movie, since it's not so
much about the music as it is about life. A central theme is the
conflict of William: Should he remain a detached but lonely outsider so
as to be an impartial journalist, or allow himself to make friends with
these people and feel like he belongs? Aside from bringing up questions
of journalistic ethics, this dilemma mirrors much of what people in all
wakes of life deal with daily.
Almost Famous is realistic, funny, touching, and one of those rare
movies that makes you feel like you've gained something just for having
seen it. It's too bad that they say rock and roll is dead, cause we
could sure use more movies like this one!
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