'Almost Famous' is such a likable coming-of-age movie, oozing with swag and feel. It's a journey centered on the love of music more than anything. Director Cameron Crowe puts us almost literally into the 70s at the prime of rock'n'roll with the atmosphere and vibe. William Miller (Patrick Fugit) is a young teenager living with his overprotective single mother. His older sister leaves for California at 18 to become a flight attendant, leaving William with her music collection. There he develops a love for music, specifically rock'n'rock. He writes freelance articles for a music magazine, and at 15, he is assigned to review the Black Sabbath at a concert. There, William runs into an older girl, Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), and also the fictional rock'n'roll band, Stillwater. Rollingstone Magazine hires him to interview Stillwater while traveling with them on their cross-country concert tour. On the way, he befriends and bonds with Penny, and he becomes close with the band members, including the leader Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup). I won't say more about the plot, but I think it's a movie you have to watch. It showcases the typical lifestyle of a 70s rock band through their good and bad times, which tests their strengths and flaws. All from the perspective of the 15-year-old journalist.

I can't get past how likable the plot, the feel, and the characters/cast were. The cast had wonderful chemistry in making the characters feel relatable and tangible enough to feel authentic. The directing, production, script, acting, soundtrack, and production all stood out to me. Even the dialogue had some pretty cool lines. I never felt bored by the presentation or pacing. Emotions, ideas, nostalgic moods, people's perspectives, and conflicts all blend into an exquisite experience. It was also personal for Crowe because it was a somewhat semi-autobiographical account of his youth as a Rolling Stone journalist covering a similar band. Fifty songs were featured in this film from a large part of the budget designated for music, showing the care it must have taken to choose the pieces. I think the 60s and 70s music is hard to beat. Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Pink Floyd, The Who, Led Zeppelin, etc all defined that timeless era. The film is on the long side, but it was worth it.

Would I recommend it? If you enjoy music, it's a must-watch film. Cameron Crowe has directed a line of satisfying films, and this is another one of them. 'Say Anything', 'Jerry Maguire', and 'We Bought a Zoo'. He also wrote the classic 1980s 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High'. Even if he doesn't make a lot of movies, the ones he makes are memorable and have a charm to them.

8.5/10