Today’s Reel Classic is set in 1973. We meet young William Miller (Patrick Fugit), who is 15 years old and aspires to be a rock and roll journalist (much to his mother’s dismay). William’s mom, Elaine (Frances McDormand) is concerned about what the effect of the current pop culture will have on her son and daughter and has forbidden rock music in their house. Her concerns drive the 18-year-old daughter Anita (Zooey Deschanel) out of their San Diego home and to San Francisco. What mom doesn’t know is that Anita has had a secret stash of rock albums that has influenced young William.
William has begun writing as a freelancer for various underground papers in San Diego. Rock journalist Lester Bangs (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) pays young William $35 to write a review of a Black Sabbath concert. The opening band is an up-and-coming band called Stillwater. He meets the lead guitarist, Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup), who invites him backstage with the band. Young William also meets up with one of the groupies, Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), who takes a liking to William. Penny Lane insists that she and her friends are not groupies but are “band aids.” They are there for the music more so than the rock stars.
William’s article on Black Sabbath spurs the editor of the magazine Rolling Stone, Ben Fong-Torres, to call William and offer him a job reporting on the band Stillwater. William will accompany the band on their tour aboard their tour bus along with Penny Lane and the “band aids.” As time goes on, William becomes closer to the band and especially the guitarist Russell. We see the band become more famous and we also see the tensions grow as egos clash. During his venture with the band, William receives guidance from his mentor Lester Bangs. Bangs tells him not to make friends with the band as he is a journalist and they will try to sway him and what he writes. William does struggle with that however. He also finds himself falling in love with Penny Lane, who harbors a desire to travel to Morocco.
In the meantime, William’s mother is distraught—her son is being exposed to rock and roll and groupies and drugs. “Rock stars have kidnapped my son!” What’s a mother to do? Interesting note here. Cameron Crowe has stated that Elaine Miller was based on his own mother.
Almost Famous was written and directed by Cameron Crowe, based on his experiences as a young writer for Rolling Stone magazine. In his memoir from 2012, My Cross to Bear, Gregg Allman wrote that some parts of the movie were based on Crowe’s time spent with the Allman Brothers Band. He specifically referenced the scene where Stillwater guitarist Russell jumps from a roof into a pool. He wrote that his brother Duane jumped from the roof of a Travelodge in San Francisco into the swimming pool.
Reportedly Cameron Crowe loosely based the character Russell on Glenn Frey of the Eagles. Other well-known musicians were involved in the film. At the time, Cameron Crowe was married to Nancy Wilson of the band Heart. Together they wrote some of the music that was to become Stillwater’s music. Another musician involved was Peter Frampton, who also wrote some of the music. He served as a music consultant and coached Billy Crudup in playing the guitar for the film’s concert scenes. He also made an appearance as Reg in the film.
Jimmy Fallon made his big screen debut as Dennis Hope, the manager hired as Stillwater’s popularity grew. The role of Russell Hammond was originally planned for Brad Pitt. However, after months of work on the role Brad Pitt gave it up. He stated “I just don’t get it enough to do it.” Kate Hudson was reportedly originally cast as Anita, William’s older sister, but was given the part of Penny Lane. Turns out that was a very good move as she received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Kate Hudson said in an interview in 2000 that she prepared for the role by listening to a lot of classic rock and interviewing wives of rock stars. She stated, “You look in their eyes and you see a sadness. You can tell how much they lived, and how jaded it gets in that world.”
Almost Famous received four Oscar nominations. Frances McDormand was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress and there were nominations for Best Film Editing and Best Original Screenplay (Cameron Crowe). Crowe won the Oscar for his efforts.
An interesting note about Patrick Fugit. He was eighteen while filming Almost Famous and not very familiar with the music. Reportedly he thought Led Zeppelin was a solo artist. When Cameron Crowe first met him the only CD he owned was by Chumbawamba. Crowe had him immersed in the music of the seventies. Fugit said, “He gave me all these albums from Led Zeppelin, The Who, Neil Young, David Bowie, Peter Frampton . . . He told me, ‘I want this stuff coming out of your pores.’“
The music in the film is outstanding and the soundtrack won the Grammy in 2001 for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture. Artists include Simon & Garfunkel, The Who, The Beach Boys, The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, David Bowie, Cat Stevens and others.
Reviews for the film were very positive. The reviewer from Rolling Stone wrote, “Not since A Hard Day’s Night has a movie caught the thrumming exuberance of going where the music takes you.” The reviewer from The New York Times wrote, “The movie’s real pleasures are to be found not in its story but in its profusion of funny, offbeat scenes. It’s the kind of picture that invites you to go back and savor your favorite moments like choice album cuts.” Roger Ebert gave the film four of four stars and called it the best film of 2000. He stated it was “funny and touching in so many different ways.” The critics consensus on Rotten Tomatoes states “Almost Famous, with its great ensemble performances and story, is a well-crafted, warm-hearted movie that successfully draws you into its era.”
There are two particular scenes I want to mention. In one of them, Penny Lane dancing by herself in an empty, trash littered auditorium in Cleveland. Cameron Crowe has identified this scene as his favorite in the movie. My own personal favorite is a scene that I am sure many others would agree is their favorite as well. The band Stillwater has just seen a promotional T‑shirt that has been produced. The shirt features the guitarist Russell Hammond prominently, with the other band members in the shadow. This leads to an angry outburst and ill-feelings within the band. They eventually are all on the tour bus and someone plays Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” The anger, disappointment, and frustration are apparent in the faces of the band members and others. But as the song goes on, one member starts singing along. Eventually they all join in, and people are smiling and patting each other.
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This scene is memorable to me for two reasons. One, it is my favorite Elton John song. But even more importantly, it demonstrates the power of music. Music can bring folks together. It is a universal language, and it has the power to heal. Watching the changes in the folks on that bus is a powerful statement about music.
Cameron Crowe resurrected Almost Famous and it opened as a musical on Broadway in 2022.
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) gives Almost Famous a rating of 7.9 of 10. Rotten Tomatoes gives its a critics score of 91% and an audience score of 92%. In searching my Roku device for free streaming sites I found it available on PlutoTV and on Hoopla (available with a Clark County Public Library card). There is also a copy of the DVD available at the Clark County Public Library.
Information for this Reel Classic review was gathered from Internet Movie Data Base (IMDb), Rotten Tomatoes, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and Wikipedia.
I’ll be back soon with the next Reel Classic, but before I leave you with the trailer below let me remind you that if you enjoy these classic movies, please join me on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 PM at the Clark County Public Library for “Ron Kibbey’s Comedy Classics.” I present a classic comedy film usually accompanied by a vintage cartoon. Popcorn and drinks are provided. More information about the next film is available on the library’s website and Facebook page, as well as WinCity Voices Facebook page.
