R E V I E W S
Almost Famous (2000)
Starring: Billy
Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, Patrick
Fugit, Philip Seymour
Hoffman Studio: DreamWorks SKG Review Posted: 9.16.00 Rating: 4.5/5
By Paul Perkins.
Being a critic of any type of media music, movies, and sports isn’t just about free stuff. It's about honesty and love of what you do. Almost Famous is set in the year 1973 when music meant a lot to everyone. One of them is 15 year old William (Patrick Fugit) who loves bands of the time. He gets a job at one of the largest music magazines of all time; Rolling Stones. Unlike most 15 years old kids who f hang out with friends, he's hanging out with the rock stars. His first assignment is to do write an article on a upcoming band called Stillwater. What William doesn’t know is that it will be harder than he thought.
On tour with the band, William learns a life-changing lesson about the importance of family; the ones we inherit and the ones we create. You could call Almost Famous an autobiographical film, because it's like a page out of Cameron Crowe's life. He hasn’t made a film since Jerry Maguire. Almost Famous is his comeback. Almost Famous may get him some more nominations. This is a very good movie. The story was very good and it shows that the people who inspired the director and how the bands treated him and how he became the director he is today.
The cast was great here. A lot of familiar faces are in it. There is Billy Crudup, who plays Russell Hammond, the lead guitar of Stillwater. You may have seen him in Jesus Son, which he was very good in. Then there is Jason Lee, who plays Jeff Bebe, the lead singer of the group. You may remember him from several Kevin Smith movies. Next is Frances McDormand, who plays William's overbears mother Elaine. She kind of reminds me of my own mother. Then there are the two main stars of the film. Kate Hudson, who plays the band-aid Penny Lane. She was very good in ths movie. You may know her famous mother Goldie Hawn. If she keeps up the good work she can become as good an actress as her mother.
The newcomer of the film is Patrick Fugit, who plays William. He was very good in the film and he is a great upcoming actor. Keep an eye on him in the future because he could be big and famous. The soundtrack of the film was also very good. Overall, Almost Famous was a very good movie on all levels. The acting, story and soundtrack. It will be on my top ten for the year on a personal level. I give Almost Famous 4 ½ stars because I wasn't into the music too much. If I had been, it would get 5 stars. This is a movie you don't want to miss. It's worth the price of admission.
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