It’s all happening.

A movie review by Mike Dimaano

Almost Famous is one of the best movies released in the year 2001. It was written and directed by Cameron Crowe—Creator of top notch movies: Say Anything and Jerry Maguire. Almost Famous is a stunning, thought-provoking film that comes at you directly from the eye of the camera and hits you with a hard bang!

Cameron Crowe takes you back to the early 70’s, where real rock and roll began. It was the era of Led Zeppelin, The Who, Black Sabbath and other gods of rock and roll. Many period pieces set in the '70s do little more than pay lip service to the era via a few bellbottoms and shaggy hair-dos; Almost Famous takes things to the next level, allowing us to believe that the film is transpiring during the era when and where it is supposed to be taking place.

It all started when William Miller (Patrick Fugit), a 15 yr old, music journalist was given a chance by his over-eccentric and over-protective mother, Elaine (Frances McDormand) to watch the concert for his article.

William, without any credentials or any ticket, struggled to get into the arena. Upon waiting for the right timing, he met Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), the leader of the so-called “band-aides.” Band-Aides are group of young girls, who refuse to call them groupies because they are dedicated to specific bands only and they draw the line at intercourse with rockstars. “Everything is just a fair game.”

Miller suddenly ran into the opening band, Stillwater, who first dismissed him as a journalist and even called him the enemy. But then took him to their hearts and backstage when Miller called them all by their names, admiring their most recent work.

The journey started at the Riot House—The Hyatt Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, where William Miller was invited by Russel Hammonds (Billy Crudup), guitarist of Stillwater. (Other members are Jason Lee, John Fedevich and Mark Kozeleck) The band accepted Miller but they nonetheless referred to him as “the enemy” or “the rock writer”.

Along Miller’s journey with Penny Lane and the band, he developed mere infatuation with Penny Lane. Penny Lane’s fascination with the charismatic guitarist, Russel Hammonds was overwhelming as she was just being friendly with William.William Miller enjoyed the long journey with the band however he started to get jealous with Penny and Russel. He also started missing all his classes and failed to give his mother a call. He even missed his graduation. Fortunately or unfortunately, he was stuck with the band all the while.

The movie has a great classic rock soundtrack (including some new songs of Peter Frampton and Eric Clapton) and strong production values that enhance the illusion that Crowe has turned back the clock by a quarter of a century.

The movie wasn’t just about the setting of early 70’s or the music scene. The film also showed the evolution of young William Miller to his coming of his age story. For him, the journey with the band was freedom, a greater chance for him to see the world in a different light outside his mother’s umbrella.

In the process, he was “deflowered” (lost his virginity), rejected the drug scene, and established strong friendships.

The film was not a box office success however, it was really a piece of an art and I’d tap that. It was an entertaining movie from top to bottom. Definitely a must seen movie, you will either find it as drama with comedic detritus or comedy with dramatic detritus or you will probably gloss over the flaws in a matter of--- weeks? It’s all happening.