At 43 years old, writer/director Cameron Crowe certainly takes his time taking on a new project. His first, back in 1989 is probably one of the most direct and touching romantic comedies I've seen, Say Anything... Since then, he's directed two other great movies, Singles and Jerry Maguire. His latest, Almost Famous, chronicles his early years in the 70's rock scene that inspired Crowe to become a writer in the first place.

Patrick Fugit is William Miller, the character loosely based on Crowe's experience on the road trying to get an interview with rock superstar Jimmy Page. William has been writing as long as he can remember and his mother has skipped him a few grades to allow him some time off (to go to Europe, Morocco, or wherever) whenever he likes. He has been sending his articles to Creem Magazine in hopes of getting published. Through this process, he befriends Lester Bangs (Philip Seymore Hoffman), writer for Creem and eventual guide through his article which has been picked up by Rolling Stone. But rather than following Black Sabbath as originally planned, he does exactly what Lester told him not to and befriends the opening act, Stillwater, whose lead singers Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup) and Jeff Bebe (Jason Lee) take him in and make him feel "cool."

While touring with Stillwater, trying to get a 1-on-1 interview with Russell Hammond, he is accepted into their family which seriously hampers his ability to write an objective and open-minded article. Nonetheless, he is taken in by Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), a self-described "Band-Aid" - not quite a groupie, but a step above a fan - whom he is smitten with (not surprisingly).

While the characters themselves are all individuals within the movie, they are all united through one sole staple - the music of Stillwater. At times, it seemed as if the characters didn't have enough time to grow into themselves, which might be absolved in the 40 minute longer "untitled" cut to be included on the DVD, but regardless, the story moves along nicely and draws the viewer in. It's a touching story that you can't help but relate to in one sense or another. Cameron does a great job in weaving together a story that follows the ups and downs of not only rock and roll, but his own personal life. Through Almost Famous, Crowe offers a look inside his own personal dreams and ambitions from a young age.

Cameron Crowe offers the best of what Hollywood has - a script with a truthfulness and veracity hard to come about in screenplays and a sincerity lost these days in directing. Almost Famous is the first must-see movie of the Fall season and quite possibly, the best movie of the year.

Genres: Romance, Drama, Comedy
Rated: R - http://www.outermost.net/mra/images/almostfamous.gif
Runtime: 122 minutes
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