Destined to become a rock-era classic, Almost Famous is an engaging, entertaining and authentic film that defines the 1970's through atmosphere and excellent characters. Loosely based on Director Cameron Crowe's own experiences as a music critic working for Rolling Stone magazine, the film captures the many complicated feelings of adolescence and takes us on a journey into the past, where we just began to go places, learn responsibilities, and confront our first romantic interest. This is an excellent movie that will undoubtedly appeal to our generation of teenagers.
Set in 1973, the story revolves around William, an intelligent adolescent living with his overbearing mother, Elaine (Frances McDormand) and rebellious older sister, Anita (Zooey Deschanel). When William is eleven, his sister leaves home to become a stewardess, leaving behind some riveting rock and roll music for him. His mother is a college professor who is against the potentially corrupting lyrics of rock and roll. William respects his mother and is true to her emotions. However, it is his growing passion for music pushes him into the sweaty arms of legendary rock writer Lester Bangs. It's not long before William successfully lands himself an assignment from "Rolling Stone" magazine to interview Stillwater, an up and coming band. With the help of Penny Lane a bewitching "Band-Aid", William meets lead guitarist Russell Hammond who invites him to join the Stillwater tour much to the dismay of his mother, who relentlessly repeats, "Don't do drugs!" William begins to find himself part of the inner circle of the band he idolizes completely disregarding the caution of his rock critic mentor, "Friendship is the booze they feed you to make you feel cool.".
"Almost Famous" offers superb performances from everyone in the cast, especially from the young star on the rise, Patrick Fugit, who handles the role of William with subtle heart and lively spirit.
