Summary
In 1973, 15-year-old William Miller's unabashed love of music and aspiration to become a rock journalist lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview and tour with the up-and-coming band, Stillwater.
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
Anna Paquin
Polexia Aphrodisia
Fairuza Balk
Sapphire
Noah Taylor
Dick Roswell
John Fedevich
Ed Vallencourt
Mark Kozelek
Larry Fellows
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Lester Bangs
Liz Stauber
Leslie
Jimmy Fallon
Dennis Hope
Olivia Rosewood
Beth from Denver
Bijou Phillips
Estrella Starr
Alice Marie Crowe
Mrs. Deegan
J.J. Cohen
Roadie Scully
Gary Kohn
Roadie Gregg
Ray Porter
Roadie Mick
Mark Pellington
Freddy
Eion Bailey
Jann Wenner
Terry Chen
Ben Fong-Torres
Rainn Wilson
David Felton
Erin Foley
Alison the Fact Checker
Jesse Caron
Darryl
Charles Walker
Principal
Jay Baruchel
Vic Munoz
Pauley Perrette
Alice Wisdom
Peter Frampton
Reg
Zack Ward
The Legendary Red Dog
Mitch Hedberg
Eagles Road Manager
Devin Corey
The Who Road Manager
Pete Droge
Hyatt Singer
Elaine Summers
Hyatt Singer
Eric Stonestreet
Sheldon the Desk Clerk
Marc Maron
Angry Promoter
Shane Willard
Ticket Scalper
Chris McElprang
Aaron Amedori
John Patrick Amedori
John Patrick Amedori
Kate Peckham
Quiet Girl
Julia Decker
Waving Girl
Brian Vaughan
Real Topeka Kid
Anthony Martelli
Poolside Provocateur
Zach Clairville
Acid Kid
Ian Ridgeway
Topeka Partier
Isaac Curtiss
Topeka Partier
Chris Lennon Davis
Topeka Partier
Scott N. Stevens
Co-Pilot
Kevin Sussman
Lenny
Reathel Bean
Warwick Hotel Clerk
Tom Riis Farrell
Plaza Doctor
Laura Bastianelli
Nurse
Samuel Aaron Roberson
High School Band
Brian Andreasen
High School Band
Jared Hren
High School Band
Mary Dragicevich
High School Band
Aura Barr
High School Band
Daniel Wilson
Journalism Teacher
William Barillaro
Bus Driver
Holly Maples
Flight Attendant
Matt Griesser
PSA Co-Pilot
Susan Yeagley
Have a Nice Day Stewardess
Nicole Spector
Hippie Girl at Airport
Patrick Irmen
Wanna Get High Guy
Nick Swardson
Insane Bowie Fan
Cindy Weber
Shocked Elevator Family
Kris Weber
Shocked Elevator Family
Kimberly Weber
Shocked Elevator Family
Kristin Weber
Shocked Elevator Family
Samer Sourakli
Mustache Boy
Michelle Moretti
Swingo's Desk Clerk
Ana Maria Quintana
Arizona Housekeeper
Lisa Buchignani
Arizona Housekeeper
Andrew Briedis
Boy with Bike (uncredited)
Greg Bronson
Upscale Pedestrian (uncredited)
Mark Cirillo
Bowie Groupie (uncredited)
Cindy Crowe
Anita - Startled Family Member (uncredited)
Wayne Doba
Leonard Barr (uncredited)
Bodhi Elfman
Alice's Manager (uncredited)
Elizabeth Friedman
Groupie (uncredited)
Kyle Gass
Quince Allen (uncredited)
Eric Rosenberg
David Bowie's Manager (uncredited)
Casey Slade
Hardened Roadie (uncredited)
Marc Antonio Pritchett
Superfly Pimp (uncredited)
Jimmy Star
Rocker (uncredited)
Christine Vienna
Groupie (uncredited)
Larry Weisberg
Frampton Concertgoer (uncredited)
Jann Wenner
Legend in Cab (uncredited)
Patrick Williams
Roadie (uncredited)
Evis Xheneti
Hippie Girl (uncredited)
Crew
Director, Screenplay
Cameron Crowe
Reviews
John Chard
July 13, 2015
9
Hopes, Dreams & Nightmares.
Almost Famous is Cameron Crowe's paean to rock music, of bands and songs, of journalism and promotion, of sex & drugs. Drawing from experience and stories passed on, Crowe tells the tale of a young teenage boy aspiring to be a music journalist in the 1970s. Finding himself backstage with the rock group Stillwater, William Miller (Patrick Fugit) embarks on a road journey with the band that's awash with egos, groupies, perils and pleasures, all of which change his life forever.
Lets go find something real!
The most striking thing about it is that it's not overtly funny or sensationalistic, it's a production that's full of love, real love, for the subject matters to hand, and it's very often a moving experience to be part of. Narratively speaking, Crowe takes his time, steadily building characters and backdrop essentials, it works a treat as we become immersed in all the major players within the music circle, while also feeling the concerns of those on the outside of the rock group circle. Which of course gives us the great rewards come the final third of film when all matters come to a head. Crowe and his design team also work some magic for period flavours, capturing the early 70s vibe with awareness of clothing, food and drink and transport. Nothing ever seems false, which is remarkable in this era of product placements and shameless plugging.
50 bucks and a case of beer!
Another one of Crowe's strengths is how he garners great performances from his actors. There's no big stars here, no Tom or Renée, but Billy Crudup, Jason Lee, Kate Hudson and Fugit, who respond to their director with sincere and believable performances, no caricatures or ham sarnies here, no way. While outskirt performances from Frances McDormand (brilliant as William's fretful mother), Anna Paquin, Philip Seymour Hoffman (as the legendary Lester Bangs) and Fairuza Balk, consistently hit the hi-hat. The music of course rocks, from metal and progers, to folkers and bubblegum, to some punk godfathery, these sounds feature on the soundtrack and kick the decade into orbit - while the Stillwater scenes are effective and the use of Elton John's Tiny Dancer will land in your heart and stay there.
Cameron Crowe has created a smashingly memorable film that will stand the tests of time. Two cuts are available, where both the theatrical and director's cuts are sure fire things (the latter Bootleg Cut my personal favourite). This is a music based film to sit with the best of them, God Bless Rock N Roll and God Bless Cameron Crowe, for he could have easily embellished and over egged his rock pudding, instead he kept it real. 9/10
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$60,000,000.00
Revenue:
$47,386,287.00
