The Story Its not that often you find so many critics singing the praises of a movie let alone one based on a 14 year old journalist and his love of rock n roll music but the decision is unanimous when it comes to rating "Almost Famous". Directed by Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire) and starring the fresh faces of Kate Hudson and newcomer Patrick Fugit "Almost Famous" has just the right mix of music, drama, passion, heart break, sex, drugs and rock n roll mixed in to its story line to pull it off and provide a real hit where others have tried and failed. William Miller (Fugit) has been crafting a few music stories when he is picked up by Rolling Stone magazine to write a piece on rock band Stillwater. The guys in the band call him the "enemy" but he manages to gain their confidence even though they fail to understand the urgency of delivering his story on time. Woven into this on screen tapestry are the complexities of life on the road, dealing with three fun loving girls known as the "Band Aids" who decide that the time is right to bring William to manhood, the battle of egos between lead singer Jeff and guitarist Russell, his feelings for the beautiful Penny Lane and convincing his mother(Frances McDormand) that he has not succumbed to the evil forces of music.
There is no doubt that director Crowe has given "Almost Famous" every opportunity to succeed both onscreen and with audiences by delivering a great experience that comes over as totally believable and so wonderfully entertaining. Supporting Stars Who are the supporting stars here as all shine along the way. Great backup from the "Band Aids" in Fairuza Balk, Anna Paquin, & Olivia Rosewood while Philip Seymour Hoffman makes a credible appearance as Lester Bangs whose advice spurs young William to pursue his goals.

What The Critics Say "Sharply observed, bittersweet and suffused with the kind of detail that only someone who lived through the era could summon up, Crowe's script is funny, heartfelt and very cool." Stephen Miller TV GUIDE'S MOVIE GUIDE "A beautifully written film topped by terrific performances by Frances McDormand, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kate Hudson and newcomer Patrick Fugit." Chuck Schwartz CRANKY CRITIC "It's heartfelt, funny, sensitive and wise, and Crowe's obvious love for the music runs so deep that the film ends up rattling around in your soul, like a thumping bass on the other side of a thin apartment wall." Donald Munro FRESNO "A beautifully photographed, gloriously scored, effectively realized project that could win the affections of both the popcorn set and fans of the loosely-structured panoramas of a Robert Altman." Harvey S. Karten COMPUSERVE "The message is as stillwater clear as it is irresistibly romantic. By virtue of its transcendent graces, music pulls us above the din of our own pettiness." Geoff Pevere TORONTO STAR "Hudson emits the intuitive wisdom of the sexually charged rock and roll lifestyle with a fierce and poetic air of self-destruction." Jay Stone OTTAWA CITIZEN "Cameron Crowe has truly outdone himself with this honest little film that brilliantly captures the trials and tribulations of growing up." Jim Chastain NORMAN TRANSCRIPT "It's done so well ... that it's hard to know whom to really single out for praise here." Jeff Vice DESERET NEWS SALT LAKE CITY The Verdict Enjoyable, believable and very entertaining film that will appeal to a variety of theatregoers.... RATED M

The Cast

Billy Crudup .... Russell Hammond Frances McDormand .... Elaine Miller Kate Hudson .... Penny Lane Jason Lee .... Jeff Bebe Patrick Fugit .... William Miller Zooey Deschanel .... Anita Miller Michael Angarano .... Young William Noah Taylor .... Dick Roswell John Fedevich .... Ed Vallencourt Mark Kozelek .... Larry Fellows Fairuza Balk .... Sapphire Anna Paquin .... Polexia Aphrodesia Olivia Rosewood .... Beth from Denver Jimmy Fallon .... Dennis Hope Philip Seymour Hoffman .... Lester Bangs

Directed by Cameron Crowe ©2001 - Dreamworks LLC All Rights Reserved