Almost Famous (2000)

reviewed by
Homer Yen


"Almost" But Not Quite
by Homer Yen
(c) 2000

"Almost Famous" is like sneaking a peek inside someone's diary and taking a glimpse into their life. Diary entries, however, don't usually make for compelling reading. And, rarely does it fascinate enough to joggle your imagination. It is, after all, a series of brief observations and perhaps a few poignant lessons learned. But if you're glimpsing into the life of Cameron Crowe (writer/director of this film who also wrote "Jerry Maguire"), you may find it to be an interesting chapter about his life when in 1973, he was an adolescent that was able to do a few things that most similarly aged boys could only dream about.

In this pseudo-autobiographical film, Crowe is William Miller (played by newcomer Patrick Fugit), a 15-year old prodigy who has a love for rock and roll. He's not the kind of wild-eyed teen who praises it by singing its songs or mimicking its stars. Rather, his homage to it comes in the form of articles that strive to explain what it's all about. His writing ability garners the attention of Lester Bangs (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), a powerful editor within the music journalism circle. Impressed with William's level of insight and concerned about his impressionable youth, he counsels the star-struck kid about the realities and ethics that underlie the business. He warns him not to make friends with rock stars. "They make you feel cool," he imparts. "But I've met you. And, you are not cool." Above all, Bangs urges him to be honest and unmerciful.

William is well on his way and eventually catches the eye of Rolling Stone magazine. They ask him to write a cover piece about Stillwater, a (fictitious) band on the cusp of stardom. With his boyish appeal and his arsenal of music knowledge, the young reporter immediately makes a connection with the band members and they welcome him as part of the family. Of course, William is about to enter an environment totally foreign to him, full of compromised values and the allure of fame, giddy girls and drugs. It will be a tough journey ahead as he tries to complete his article, find his moral bearings in his strange New World, and hold on as he is rapidly ushered forth towards adulthood.

During his time with the band, he experiences dramas that no 15-year old is equipped to handle. The largest issue involves him, a fan named Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) and Stillwater band member Russell (Billy Crudup). There is a love triangle brewing here, although it never reaches soap opera proportions. But the theme runs throughout the film. There's also a drama about the Stillwater band itself as it struggles through its period of growth and increasing popularity. There's another dilemma about William's responsibility to report truthfully and the fondness he has for the group. And there are other milieus that arise here and there as the story winds its way to a close.

"Almost Famous" will be more warmly received by critics than by the general movie-going audience, like me. It has several interesting and charming segments. But, it didn't quite achieve the emotional highpoints. I could not fully buy into the emotions that the band probably felt or even the wonderment that young Williams experienced. It just lacked a needed dimension of eagerness. And oddly, the film seemed to want to open itself to much grander ideas such as the tenderness of young love, the zeitgeist of that turbulent era, or the evolution of rock. However, it remained in a bloated state of self-absorption. The pace is never quicker than a stroll and the payoff merely satisfies (thanks primarily to Frances McDormand's role as William's rational mom, who anchor's everyone back to reality). But, the film doesn't gratify. We certainly deserved more.

Grade: B-
S:        1 out of 3
L:        1 out of 3
V:        1 out of 3

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