“Almost Famous” (Directed by Cameron Crowe, 2000)

Based upon his own experience as a teenage writer for Rolling Stone magazine, Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” tells the story of sex, drugs, and rock and roll with cotton candy sweetness. However, this is not just a coming-of-age story with a kick-ass soundtrack. It is a snapshot of the brief period of time between the inception of New Journalism, and the establishment of celebrity journalism, as we know it today.

When fifteen year-old William Miller (Patrick Fugit) starts sending the rock reviews he’s written for his high school newspaper to legendary rock critic Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman), his life is changed for ever. Bangs sends Miller on an assignment to interview Black Sabbath for Creem magazine that morphs into a gig for Rolling Stone writing about the almost famous band Stillwater. Bangs’ advice to young William: “You cannot make friends with the rock stars,” defines the conflict in the journey that William is about to embark upon.

The scene in which William talks his way backstage in San Diego by knowing the band members' names, and calling out precise compliments at them as they hurry into the arena, illustrates perfectly that a good critic not only needs to be in the right place at the right time; they also have know their stuff. William’s passion for music is the key that unlocks the door to this world.

William is seduced into the lifestyle of rock by the group's guitarist, Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup). He falls in love with “Band Aide,” Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), who is in love with Russell, who is married. “Almost Famous” softens many of the uglier aspects of rock-and-roll life in the Seventies. Even the scene in which Penny Lanes overdoses on Quaaludes is set to gorgeous music.

This would seem to be the point that Bangs is making. If the critic gets too close, too emotionally invested in their subjects, objectivity is impossible. The film’s exploration of Stillwater’s struggle to strike a balance between commercial acceptance and remaining true to one's art parallels William’s responsibility as a critic to counterbalance his friendships with the guys of Stillwater against his function as a journalist.

Although “Almost Famous” gets a little precious at times, like when a band member admits to being gay during a rough flight, it is usually spot-on in its sentiment. William discovers his sister’s parting gift of her record collection, and reads her note in one of them: "This song explains why I'm leaving home to become a stewardess,” is perfection. The song’s lyrics are: "I walked out to look for America,” and the scene not only sums up the mood of the era; it describes the emotive impact of rock music.

The brilliant casting is a large part of appeal of “Almost Famous.” Patrick Fugit as William is a smiling Buddha-child, benignly watching over the band in silence to cover his inexperience. His dream girl Penny Lane makes her way in this world in a similar fashion, and Kate Hudson is lit from within in this role. Frances McDormand as William’s mother does the best she can with what she has to work with; Elaine is one of the few characters in the film that is sorely underdeveloped. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, as Lester Bangs, is the penultimate affable ass.

The quality of light, the slightly washed out color of the film, heightens the feeling the movie was actually made during the era when it is supposed to be happening. The soundtrack is nothing less than awesome. It is more than a feel-good movie. It is a movie that feels good.