ALMOST FAMOUS

"The most satisfying aspect of Cameron Crowe’s semi-auto biographical film is the silken threads he weaves into the various relationships; there is ambiguity and an imprecision to these that is a marvellous aspect of cinema. Patrick Fugit’s debut as the 15 year old would-be rock journalist is brilliant and there are several accurate observations about journalistic quandaries that Crowe’s script captures 100 per cent, and Fugit delivers with characteristic confusion. For a journalist like me, some of the issues Crowe touches on are instantly recognisable – and real. Billy Crudup (defying his unfortunate nametag yet again), delivers a poignant characterisation of the lead guitarist in upwardly mobile but self-destructive band, Stillwater, and Kate Hudson shimmers as the almost-tragic groupie, Penny Lane. Frances McDormand hits the bullseye, too, as William’s ever-fretting mother, trying desperately to protect her son from the sex, drugs and rock n’ roll – the environment which he is in, up to his very open eyeballs. William’s experiences, as he juggles the adrenalin highs and let-downs of not only his journalistic role – thrust on him so early in his ‘career’ – but the emotional tour that the band’s working tour puts him through, make for compelling cinema."
Andrew L. Urban

"Some films ring true from the first frame. Director Cameron Crowe's wonderfully observed slice of his own youth does just that and more as it takes us on a dazzling odyssey set during the peak of rock'n'roll’s dinosaur era. Crowe himself was a 16 year-old staff writer for Rolling Stone in 1973 and his inside knowledge plays a major part in making alter ego William Miller's journey an amazing and insightful one. It captures perfectly that time in the early 70's when the last rays from the summers of love had been extinguished by the behemoth of corporate rock. The caustic commentary and wise advice offered to William by legendary rock writer Lester Bangs (wonderfully played Phillip Seymour Hoffman: the late Bangs would surely have approved) set the scene for the teenagers magical mystery tour which covers much more than just rock'n'roll. This is about family in the traditional sense (Frances McDormand is superb as William's college professor mother with a "don't do drugs" mantra) and the other family life William finds on the road with the band. His observations and reactions to the abuse handed out to Penny Lane and her fellow groupies (or "Band Aides" as she calls herself, unconvincingly) are realised with a tenderness which is heartbreaking. There's so much to admire in this spirited and funny film. The music by fictional band Stillwater is indistinguishable from the real thing, circa 1973 and Billy Crudup and his band are so convincing it seems they've walked into this film direct from playing support to Grand Funk Railroad and Wishbone Ash. One of the year's highlights."
Richard Kuipers