Cameron Crowe's Love Letter
Almost Famous
Cast: Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson
Director: Cameron Crowe
Movie Help Web Popcorn Kernels:
Watch a movie in which the main character seems an extension of how you see a past self and your perspective may be forever altered.
I experienced this epiphany when I first saw Almost Famous on an airplane several months ago. Knowing the butchery that masquerades as film editing for such audiences, I waited until seeing the DVD version of this film before writing an review.
Wow.
A story line that flows from a gifted writer with decades of experience mingles with brilliant performances from a cast that is itself almost famous. Add solid directing from the author, technical expertise in the subject matter and in moviemaking with a poignant plot and viewers will want to watch this movie 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." Indeed, Crowe who has a fabled career as a pop writer, 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 has befriended 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 friends who are "almost famous". How Miller matures as he travels with the band for several weeks is a warm coming-of-age story made even more enjoyable by the superb cast performances.
So What's This About Seeing Yourself?
I thought Cameron Crowe was an adult when I was reading Rolling Stone back then. Actually, I was cribbing my own column from Rolling Stone and Billboard filler cut with album and concert reviews.
I was also fifteen years old when I called the editor of the newspaper in the small North Carolina town I had been exiled to and suggested that I could do a better job covering rock music than the stray piece they were publishing. Wonder of wonders, he didn't hang up on me, but actually invited me down to see how I managed to walk upright.
And then he gave me a job. Okay, so it was the Rocky Mount (NC) Evening Telegram, but I was the only 15 year old I knew who was writing about rock music. Best of all, the job came with a press pass and free albums. Like Fugit's portrayal of William Miller, I spent two lonely concerts in the back of an arena until I learned to call press agents ahead of time. And while I didn't get to hang out with Fleetwood Mac or Eric Clapton, I did get to spend some mind blowing time (for a teenager) with folks like Eddie Money, an extremely young Chris DeBurgh, Kenny Rogers and others.
I was even submitting clips to the LA and New York papers, as well as Rolling Stone, Creem, Hit Parader and anyone else willing to send a rejection letter. So how was I to know that there was already a punk kid bugging rock stars. Bet he never had Chuck Mangione scream at him for ten minutes in the middle of a Raleigh-Durham airport terminal.
Can you blame me for wanting to rate the movie 6 out of 5 stars?
Enough Biography, More Movie
Academy Award-nominated Kate Hudson deserved the many accolades she received for her portrayal of Penny Lane, the band aid who is not a groupie, but nonetheless 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 herself for her role as William's mother. I've talked with a number of folks about this movie, and while all agree that Fugit was wonderful in his first role and Hudson served notice on the world that she will be a star, McDormand was simply the bedrock upon which most of the film's pivotal scenes rest. 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 all very realistic considering that they were actors, not musicians. Then again, Billy Crudup was taught guitar for weeks by 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 has been a soft rock staple for two decades, but is resurrected as a cool song in one of the most memorable music scenes in recent memory. John's Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters likewise serves as the musical bed for a series of climactic events and Yes' Roundabout is the perfect arena crowd warm-up song.
There are plenty of DVD extras should you choose that medium, including many of Crowe's features from Rolling Stone and a delightful documentary on the making of the film.
Crowe the child writer lived his love letter. Crowe the adult director immortalized it. You'll simply love it.
