Almost Famous

I feel like I've known a lot of people over the years who whether they knew it or not were trying to be Penny Lane or Russell Hammond. I think it really speaks to the intimate universality of Crowe’s writing and directing. It's one of those films that feels like a story made just for you and that's the magic trick of it.

Credit in no small part due to Patrick Fugit, without whom the film completely falls apart. Billy Crudup and Kate Hudson are brilliant as well, particularly the latter, really setting the modern template for the manic pixie dream girl. It's small wonder that so many people on screen and in reality have tried to emulate her charisma, and none have quite captured it the same.

Also funny how what was once a cast of mostly unknowns and small time actors has turned into a cracking ensemble. Even most of the one-scene side characters have found notoriety in one place or another.

Would love to hear other peoples thoughts as well!

This happened to be on one of the Hollywood Suite channels yesterday and as my dad has said it is one of his favourite movies, I decided to watch it.

I wasn’t disappointed. I love classic rock and the movie is full of great songs. It did a good job balancing comedy and drama while also giving a cool glimpse of the era it’s set in. You can definitely tell Cameron Crowe lived through the era and has a fondness for it and it translates well. I also liked the way the romance part was handled. It was messy but I think that makes it a little more realistic.

- Posted July 18th, 2016

Synopsis: The BC crew sets their sights on the Academy Award winning, semi-autobiographical film, Almost Famous. But what are some of the differences between the theatrical release and Untitled: The Bootleg Cut? What are Griffin and David’s thoughts on Marc Maron and Jimmy Fallon’s cameos? How has Billy Crudup’s career trajectory drastically changed since 2000? Together, Griffin and David discuss Philip Seymour Hoffman’s stellar performance as legendary rock critic Lester Bangs, Kate Hudson’s boyfriends over the years, Led Zeppelin rumors and locking the gates.

I will always remember that night in 2001 2000 when I first watched Almost Famous. It was after closing down the theatre I managed for the night, and a night or two before we started showing it for the public. Sitting there watching the story unfold, each scene better that the one before. Falling in love with Penny Lane right along with William. And then that scene on the bus where they all sang Tiny Dancer. I knew as soon as the movie ended that I had just watched my new favorite movie. In the 20 years since I have probably watched it at least 10 more times. I've purchased 2 different DVD versions, and watched all the extras. And I still feel the same emotions every time I watch.

I had a similar feeling when I watched We Bought a Zoo. This time the main emotion was pure joy. It's a feel good movie filled with loveable characters and majestic animals. And it's just such a pleasure to watch. The little just melts my heart in every scene. And I lose it every time at the scene in the diner with the mom.

I believe these are Cameron Crowe's best movies. His catalog of feature films is not long, but each of them is a joy to watch. What I love about Crowe's writing and directing style is he shows so much affection for his characters, and they are all so well written. I just hope he makes more in the future.

The man is never not great. He has a terrific screen presence, his voice has this soothing quality to it. I remember reading somewhere he was close to being The Hulk in the Ang Lee 2003 version but turned it down & with it a huge payday. I guess he didn’t want to play that “One for them, one for me” game.

Now he seems to be thriving in supporting roles which is cool. Whatever works. But I always thought he’d be the next BIG thing. And it never turned out that way, which was maybe his choice?

Everytime I watch Almost Famous I’m just struck by his screen presence. The camera loves him. He’s got the magic. You can’t learn that, either you got it or you don’t.

Almost famous is my favorite movie and as an American I feel that this film has touched on something a few other films have.

The film deals with the central aspect of the American experience, specifically the adolescent American experience - what does it mean to be cool?

Very few movies tackle this topic because it’s hard to define, it’s hard to articulate. In a sense, to be cool means to be revered, valued and envied.

Now, I do believe this is a universal human experience to some extent but it seems best examined in the American context of “cool”.

everyone in the film is concerned about how they are perceived, the rock stars are the apothem of cool, but they simply use music to achieve this social status. Cool is the currency with which Americans find meaning and opportunity in a post war, post economic boom, reality.

My favorite quote from the film is “ The only true currency in this world is what you can share with someone when you’re totally uncool.” Spoken by the rock critic, Lester Bangs. Even he himself being a person who wears a mask of cool, because he understands music.

The main character, William, is uncool. He, and everyone around him seems to notice, but he is still revered by them because he does not try to be cool. He is himself, which makes him cool, because he, as his mother said “he’s become a person on substance”.

We all put on a mask to try to impress everyone in our lives to gain social equity, and opportunity, to hide our insecurities and self identified shortcomings. This film, truly examines the American mindset. To be envied, loved, successful, approachable…

Cool.

Addition - many people are referencing American graffiti, as well as dazed and confused as more American films. I do believe that these films deal with American topics of loss of innocence, cultural change, and social transition. However, I still don’t think they touch on the American ethos of “cool” the same way that Almost Famous does.

When I saw this film in the cinema in 2000 I was blown away by Kate Hudson's performance.

For me, at that time, the film was all about her and her journey. It was both visceral and deeply moving. Her story was all I remembered about the film.

Watching it tonight on Amazon, I was amazed that I never picked up on the other major characters and their journeys and how good their performances were.

I loved the film the first time around, but 20 years later I have come to understand how much more complex and nuanced it is.

What are your thoughts?

i just watched the bootleg edition, and my god it was amazing. The atmosphere felt very authentic and the soundtrack was a godsend. I loved the characters, they were realistic and were played well, though an obvious stand out would be Kate Hudson's Penny Lane. Like honestly, i was watching this slackjawed at her performance - what is up with the massive piles of rom com generic shit movies in her current career? So enigmatic and mysterious with that weird manic pixie dream girl thing going on, i damn near fell in love with her while watching this. Plus Crudup was very likable as the lead guitarist frontman, and the kid playing william had that naive, innocent tinge to his acting that fit well with his character. I also liked how the plot was pretty original and deviated from all the standard love triangle tropes. In all, i thoguht it was a really good film