Almost Famous (2000)

3 out of 4

Starring: Patrick Fugit, Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Fairuza Balk, Anna Paquin, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Zooey Deschanel

Director: Cameron Crowe

Time: 122 mins

Cameron Crowe has certainly produced a diverse and intimate body of work since he penned the teen cult classic Fast Times At Ridgemont High back in 1982. 1989's Say Anything is a romantic movie favourite, and 1996's Jerry Maguire was both a critical and commercial success. Now he has drawn on his own adolescent years for Almost Famous, a movie about the days when he was a teenaged journalist for Rolling Stone magazine back in the early 70s. The film is a fine blend of humour, drama, and nostalgia, backed by a good soundtrack of period songs. It shows what it was like to follow a rock band on the road - the highs and the lows, the groupies, and the drugs and sex.

It's 1973, and 15-year-old William Miller (Patrick Fugit) is a talented young teenager with an alienated sister (Zooey Deschanel) and a moralistic but lovable mother (Frances McDormand). His music writings for the local school paper catch the eye of Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a rock music expert who provides some wise words of advice for William when he decides to go into music journalism. The influential Rolling Stone magazine also notices William's writing skills, and enlists him to provide a report on the up-and-coming band Stillwater when they embark on their Almost Famous tour around the country. Along with lead singer Jeff Bebe (Jason Lee), charismatic guitarist Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup) and the other band members, William goes on the road with groupies like the exotically named Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), Sapphire (Fairuza Balk) and Polexia (Anna Paquin). He sees first-hand, and up close, the drugs and sex that pervade the rock-and-roll scene, as well as how callous musicians can be towards their biggest fans. In a way, William grows up overnight, though in his elusive quest to land an interview with Russell, he manages to teach the band a lesson or two as well.

There is a certain ring of truth to the story in Almost Famous. Rarely has the inside world of rock bands on the road been so intimately exposed. I can't say I'm into the hard rock and groupies lifestyle, so there's not much I can relate to, but it's still fun to see William's adventures along the way. Aside from the broken relationships and occasional drug taking, Almost Famous has an underlying message of hope and optimism that gives the film a light and almost frivolous tone. Crowe relays this through regular injections of humour, using William as our innocent and unsullied eyes. Unlike the thematically similar Boogie Nights, which was a look at the world of pornography during the late 70s/early 80s, nothing truly tragic occurs in Almost Famous, except for the tragedy of rock stars who lose sight of why and for whom they're playing their music.

Newcomer Fugit is perfect as our guide into this rarefied world. Raised by his mother to be a nice, law-abiding sort of kid, his initiation into the groupie scene is often an eye-opening experience. While excited to be a part of Stillwater's tour, he eventually becomes jaded by the endless partying and days on the road, as well as the use and abuse of drugs and people. Fugit's performance is a delicate blend of innocence and frustration. Crudup is the most visible member of the fictitious band Stillwater, and he capably conveys the flamboyance and occasional madness of being a rock star, especially during a scene when he becomes an impromptu guest at an all-night, local area party. Goldie Hawn's daughter Kate Hudson (you can tell by some of her mannerisms that they're related!) is good as the groupie whose intoxication by the hedonistic lifestyle turns sour and almost tragic. Her performance exudes sex appeal and even some of her mother's renowned kookiness. Oscar winner McDormand is a delight as the mother whose concern for her son is also a source of frustration, for him, and of humour, for us.

The other characters are less developed, but are still vivid. Kevin Smith regular Jason Lee (Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma) is funny as the band's lead singer who feels under-appreciated, while Australian Noah Taylor (Shine) does a nice turn as the edgy band manager who tries his best to keep them together. Fairuza Balk (The Craft) and Anna Paquin (X-Men) have cameo roles as fellow groupies on the Stillwater odyssey, and character actor Hoffman (Boogie Nights, The Talented Mr Ripley) adds another memorable part to his impressive resume.

Almost Famous is another sincere and winning effort from writer/director Crowe. That it doesn't quite attain greatness may be due to its gentle rather than searing look at the world of rock music. For those who lived through and have strong memories of the period, or those who are into the rock band lifestyle, the film may hold a great deal more resonance. It's still a funny, endearing work though, and well worth a visit.

(c) Joe Wong (7 February 2001)