Almost Famous (* * * * *)

So this is the first movie I have reviewed that I am giving 5 stars. Don't worry though, there are more to come. This one is going to be long, so sit back, relax and well read this at home, not at work. If you can't handle reading it all at least skip to "The Bottom Line" and if you think it's for you, go out and see this movie. I know this movie is a little bit older, from 2000, but it is one of my favorites and a movie that a lot of people haven't seen. I need to thank Dayton for recommending this movie to me long after it had spent it's time in theaters.

This movie has everything you would expect from a great movie. It has a great story, interesting dialogue, excellent acting, the best music of any movie, comedy, sadness, and yes romance.

Let's get started with the story. This movie at its basic core comes down to a coming of age story for our main character, William Miller. Young for his grade in school William is a very bright journalist but according to his classmates and his sister Anita is very "un cool". William meets a band, Stillwater, that is just beginning to become successful and to him is the epitome of cool. Rolling Stone Magazine, unaware of Williams’s age decides to send him on the road with the band to write a story. The movie is his story as he travels with the band and deals with his own complications. Yes the story at its core is very simple, but it deals with complex relationships and themes. The movie is actually based on the life of Cameron Crowe, the director and writer. You will recognize some of his other films such as Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Singles and Jerry Maguire.

The dialogue in this movie is so carefully written and seamless. In fact the dialogue is so good that I enjoy putting in the DVD as I am doing housework or something and simply listening to it. It connects so well and there are just so many little things that you only pick up on with subsequent viewings.

You may not recognize everyone in this film however there is some wonderful acting and I have to give credit to those who cast this movie, nice work. Patrick Fugit (A Utah native), plays William Miller the central character for the film. As a rookie actor he does very well with this role and was very believable. His ability to project emotion is great and as you watch the film you will be able to just look at him on the screen and know what he is thinking. One of my favorite actors, Jason Lee, plays Jeff Bebe, the lead singer of the band Stillwater. Jason has this great ability to say his lines. I know that sounds so simple, but listen to him as he talks, it's like no other actor and he has some great, long pieces of dialogue that are some of my favorite in the entire movie. Kate Hudson plays Penny Lane and does a great job at looking the part. She looks very much how I would have imagined this character in my mind. She is a good actor but it almost seems that in this movie she is just being herself. Billy Crudup plays Russell Hammond the guitar player and according to him the heart and soul of the band Stillwater. Billy is a good actor and really got into the part, learning in real life to play guitar (Taught by Peter Frampton), he brings authenticity to the movie. Frances McDormand plays Elaine Miller, Williams’s mother. She looks like the typical conservative mother and is such a good actor that all you need to do is watch her facial expressions and you can tell so much about her character. Not to leave out is the less central role of Phillip Seymour Hoffman who plays Lester Bangs, the rock journalist that is a mentor to William. His screen time is limited but he really portrayed this character well and will make you laugh as he is very "un-cool." But there is also the great performance of Zooey Deschanel as Anita Miller, Fairuza Balk as Sapphire and Anna Paquin as Polexia the other Band Aid's, as well as Noah Taylor, John Fedevich, and Mark Kozelek who make up the rest of Stillwater and its management. There is also a brief cameo by Peter Frampton and a small but memorable performance by Jimmy Fallon.

The music in Almost Famous is great. I know I didn't grow up during the time which this movie takes place but I have always loved 70's rock. The movie includes songs from Led Zeppelin, Simon and Garfunkel, Elton John, The Who, Black Sabbath, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Yes, and Fleetwood Mac just to name a few. One of the great things about the music in this film is that it plays a role, the music is a character. Just watch the movie and pay special attention during the scene where Elton John's, Tiny Dancer is playing. Another thing that makes the movie great is that an entire album was written by Cameron Crowe and his wife Nancy Wilson, you may remember her from the band Heart. They wrote the songs for the fictional band in the movie, Stillwater. In fact if you buy the "Untitled" directors cut of Almost Famous you get a Stillwater CD that is really good.

This movie is really one of those movies that "will make you laugh and cry"; there are some great funny moments but some thematic elements that will invoke some emotion. There are also some interesting romantic moments between several of the characters. Normally I don't like romantic movies or even movies that have a strong romance presence. But with Almost Famous the relationships between the characters including several romantic situations is so key to the story. But it isn't boring, cheesy or sappy, the relationships of the characters is complex and keeps you interested. But can be also a very funny element as when William kisses Penny and says "I am boldly going where many men have gone before", it's great.

(Finally) The Bottom Line... Almost Famous is a great movie, if you enjoy it the first time you see it, you will want to see again. The story is deep and the acting great. In fact if you just like 70's music, you will like the movie for the soundtrack alone. But the key to this movie is that it really gets in touch with relationships and characters. However, this movie is not for everyone, it is rated R and I really wouldn't recommend kids or young teens seeing it. There really isn't much in the movie that is bad and it is referenced in the context of the day but it does include strong language, a few drug references, limited sexual content and a very small, split second amount of nudity. I can't believe I am saying this, but if you want go get the clean flicks or edited version of this film and watch it to be honest you aren't going to miss that much and the movie is good enough that you should still see it. If you aren't into rock music or 70's rock, you can still enjoy this movie but may not get some of the hidden references. If you like Almost Famous check out "Untitled" The Bootleg Cut, which is the directors cut of the movie and adds a lot more story, you will enjoy it as well.