"Almost Famous"

directed by Cameron Crowe

                                     

Is there such a thing as a "perfect movie?"  well, probably not, but if there were, this be it.  Set in 1973, "Almost Famous" tracks the Gump-like happenings of 15 year-old rock fanatic William Miller, brought to life, almost shockingly, by newcomer Patrick Fugit.  William gets turned on to music by his older sister, who dumps her record collection on him when she leaves home to become a stewardess.

Soon, William is knee-deep in rock and roll.  He finagles his way into a concert featuring young upstarts Stillwater (no, not Obie's band), who are opening for Black Sabbath.  When the band sees how much the kid knows and loves their music, they take him on as a sort of male version of Pamela DesBarres.

After traveling with the band, much to the dismay of mom (adoringly played by Frances McDormand, who has never been better), William, under the wing of actual rock critic Lester Bangs (nailed by Philip Seymour Hoffman), cons his way into writing for Rolling Stone.  Along the way, he falls for gorgeous blonde Penny Lane (played by Goldie Hawn's daughter, Kate Hudson).  If it wasn't for the fact that this film is jampacked with brilliant performances, I would say Hudson steals the movie.

Without giving too much more away, let me go on record as saying this is THE FILM to see this year.  A knockout soundtrack loses points if only for duplicating the use of "The Wind" by Cat Stevens (put to better use in "Rushmore").  If you see this movie and do not love it, you should go get yerself a turntable and rediscover the passion of music.  The bus scene in which the entire bus sings Elton John made me laugh then almost cry.

GO SEE IT!

Lc.