Almost Famous

I've never been interested in rock music, and I've never really enjoyed films that are about rock bands, so I was a little apprehensive about seeing Almost Famous. I was pleasantly surprised to find that although the film is set in the world of rock, that's only a backdrop for a far more interesting story.

The year is 1973 and a 15 year old boy named William writes rock reviews for his school's magazine. At lunch time he reads Creem magazine and dreams of becoming a real music writer. He has sent some of his articles to the editor of Creem, one Lester Bangs, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, but has not had a reply. One day he meets Bangs in person, and the veteran, clearly impressed by his enthusiasm and talent, tells him to go to a Black Sabbath concert and write an article on it. At the stage door, William meets the support band, Stillwater, and a couple of groupies, one of whom calls herself Penny Lane. He impresses them with his knowledge of their music, and they invite him in. He writes his article, and very soon he is contacted by the editor of Rolling Stone magazine, who, not realising he’s only 15, sends him on the road with Stillwater on their 'Almost Famous' tour. Earnestly clutching his notebook and tape recorder, William begins a voyage of discovery that will change him forever.

Almost Famous is a charming film that works on many levels. Its strength lies in its screenplay, which was written by the director, Cameron Crowe, and in the performances of its cast. Especially good are Frances McDormand as William's mother, and Kate Hudson as Penny Lane. Patrick Fugit's performance is marvellous — he plays William as fresh-faced and wide-eyed, intelligent yet somewhat naïve, strong-willed yet incredibly vulnerable.

Central to the film's theme are the issues of love, trust and friendship, things that I think we all had trouble with as teenagers. William's doubts and worries are soothed by Bangs whom he calls for advice at various points along his journey. He also calls his mother several times to explain where he is and why he’s missing so much school. The way she handles the whole situation, in my opinion, makes her a mother to be proud of, and it makes the film ideal viewing for teenagers and parents alike.