"Almost Famous" Review

Though “Almost Famous” deals with “sex, drugs and rock n’ roll” it manages to show it in a sweet and nostalgic way. Sure, the people may be crazy, but there’s something about them that you can’t help but find endearing. Writer/director Cameron Crowe has managed to capture a place in time, clean it up just enough, and put it on display as a comforting coming of age tale. Sure, it may not be the deeply meaningful picture one gets the sense Crowe might have sought to direct, but it shines in its comedy and feel-good musical moments.

“Almost Famous” is the story of William Miller, an ostracized and sheltered high schooler who has a passion for music. After finding out that he’s two years younger than he always thought he was, he decides to pitch a story to Rolling Stone about the up-and-coming band Stillwater. Rolling Stone decides to take a chance on him, so our young journalist packs his bag and hits the road with what will eventually become one of the biggest bands in the country.

Patrick Fugit delivers a wide-eyed performance as William, and is saved by the much more talented actors he is put on screen with. Billy Crudup as the affable lead guitarist Russell Hammond brings just a bit of danger to the world, while Kate Hudson, as “band-aid” Penny Lane, shines in a way Hudson since hasn’t. But what’s really impressive is the amount of talented character actors that populate the smaller roles in the story, all delivering interesting (though many times, all too short) performances. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rainn Wilson, Jimmy Fallon, Fairuza Balk and Anna Paquin all pop up, adding a comedic and emotional depth the film would otherwise be lacking without them, and Frances McDormand in particular delivers a hilarious turn as William’s outrageously overprotective mother.

Maybe it’s just because rock n’ roll craziness has been talked about so much, or perhaps Crowe doesn’t want to inadvertently offend any of his old buddies, but the film is at its weakest when it strays to the topic of the musician’s private lives. Sure, Crowe has fun at their expense but he never goes for the jugular, preferring instead awkward comedy or heartwarming drama. Cameron is a director who shines when he can explore characters that are just a bit larger than life (“Jerry Maguire,” “Vanilla Sky”) and “Almost Famous” gives him a wonderful opportunity to do just that.