Almost Famous

Saturday night, Sharon and I watched Almost Famous. It is #47 on the New York Times list of the 100 best films of the 21st century.

Almost Famous is a 2000 comedy drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe. The film is semi-autobiographical, as Crowe himself was a teenage writer for Rolling Stone.

It stars Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Patrick Fugit, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. We have seen a younger Frances McDormand in two movies in the last week; she was in Something's Gotta Give.

Almost Famous tells the story of William Miller (Fugit), a 15-year-old aspiring music journalist in the early 1970s. He lands a dream assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to tour with the up-and-coming rock band Stillwater. During his journey, William navigates the complexities of the rock and roll lifestyle, including the band's internal conflicts and his developing relationships, particularly with the groupie Penny Lane (Hudson). The film is a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of innocence lost, finding one's place, and the allure and disillusionment of the music industry.

At the 73rd Academy Awards, the movie won Best Original Screenplay (Cameron Crowe). Both Hudson and McDormand were nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The film was nominated for Best Film Editing. At the Golden Globes, the film won Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Hudson won Best Supporting Actress. It also won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

I have heard a lot about the film over the years, but had never seen it. Kate Hudson was 20 years old when the movie was filmed. Although she looks very young, Hudson had already done several movies. Both Sharon and I enjoyed Almost Famous. Sharon gave it an "8" out of "10". I recommend it.