All the movies I’ve seen, good or bad, have been engraved into who I am. Any cinephile can speak to this. They’re transparent tattoos that are a roadmap of my fandom and personality. As I get older and follow the endless yellow celluloid road, more and more are added. Why not start an ode to these lovelies?
Cameron Crowe has always been a director that tickles my musical fancy. His movies don’t always rock, but his soundtracks most certainly do.
“You are Home.”
The main reason Almost Famous was so influential for me is because it’s a love letter to music and it shows it in a way that wraps you in its arms so tightly, that you’re never the same again.
15 year old William Miller (Patrick Fugit) doesn’t have the most normal home life. His mother (Frances McDormand) rebels against society, from holidays to lunch meat, and keeps his age from him until one day when he realizes he’s smaller than his classmates. His sister Anita (Zooey Deschanel) has left to form her own path and after leaving her records behind, William falls in love with music.
When he gets an assignment from the eccentric writer Lester Banks (Philip Seymour Hoffman) as well as some advice (in one of my favorite scenes), he heads out to cover a Black Sabbath concert. Much to the chagrin of his mother, “don’t do drugs!”
When he has trouble getting in he meets the band-aids, headed by the charismatic Penny Lane (Kate Hudson). He’s also introduced to an up and coming band Stillwater, headed by guitarist Russell (Billy Crudup) and singer Jeff (Jason Lee). They strike a bond and after pitching an idea to Rolling Stone for a piece, he gets the opportunity to travel with the band on their tour. William’s dream, a mother’s nightmare.
It’s the 70s and there is no hiding it. Almost Famous is alive with the colors and sounds of the time, and it harnesses an effervescent energy that infuses every scene with wonder and nostalgia. Through William we are discovering, and it’s an impactful coming of age story, and within the production, music, and costumes we travel to the past and revel in that era.
It also has one of my favorite all time needle drop scenes with Elton John’s Tiny Dancer sing along on the bus. This few minutes manages to cram in so much with so little, showing the depth and power of music. It speaks volumes.
I recently got the newly remastered Blu ray complete with the “bootleg cut” which is an extended version (an additional 38 minutes) and includes a wealth of additional bonus content such as: Casting, Costumes, music videos, articles and much more. This is loosely based on Crowe’s own experiences which makes it exude a personal element. For any fan, I’d recommend seeing the extended cut.
“Get on my back for a piggy back ride.”
I have seen Almost Famous many times over the years and the young aspiring journalist in me felt moved and despite the dream like aura that surrounds this (“your aura its purple!”) It made it seem like it was possible to chase your passions. Over time I’ve appreciated this is differing ways, but that feeling has never faded.
Almost Famous strives to inspire, to make you laugh and identify with one or more of the characters. Or, if anything, the idea of them. There are a lot of exaggerated aspects, but they are tethered by the real emotion that serenades us throughout. It’s rock and roll, and it sucks you into that vibe of the chase for fame.
There’s a scene where the lovely Kate Hudson (in what I believe to be her best) is gliding around an empty auditorium barefoot, still riding the high of the concert she’s just seen. It’s emblematic of the films intent, and it’s a beautiful sequence.
All of the performances are perfect, especially Fugit and Crudup (when Hudson or McDormand isn’t stealing the show) that emulate the dynamic of fan and artist, teen and adult, and their crossovers.
The soundtrack is of course, amazing, and each scene has a song chosen to fit like a glove. With a fluent talent for language and humor, Crowe’s script bounces with plenty of levity and heart to boot.
I think this is Cameron’s best film though I have a love for Jerry Maguire and Say Anything (and the -I believe- underrated Vanilla Sky). Occasionally he missteps on a larger scale but is terrific at mastering the coordination of a perfect scene. There are several, iconic ones in all of his films. This one just seems to have more cohesion.
Almost Famous is a time capsule, a vessel into the past that beams with life. A coming of age jewel with fantastic performances and a nurturing musical embrace. It’ll never stop singing.
Almost Famous is streaming on Amazon Prime and Paramount+ and the remastered Blu-ray is available for purchase.
Cinematic Lovelies 
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