'Almost Famous' explores life of Cameron Crowe
By Andy Tuschhoff Argonaut Senior Staff
Cameron Crowe, writer and director of "Jerry Maguire" appears destined for another trip to the Academy Awards with his latest film "Almost Famous."
The film explores the life of Crowe himself in his teen years
on a road trip adventure with a rock band, breaking into the
journalism and entertainment industries. He accomplished this
by first polishing his acting skills and convincing a "Rolling
Stone" editor he was not a 15-year-old prodigy, but an experienced
college grad.
Rock 'n' roll music is the foundation and, in large part, the
inspiration for the film. It was Crowe's love for rock 'n' roll,
inherited from his sister that pushed him to submerge himself
in the music scene and writing as a music critic.
The importance the music played in Crowe's life, as animated
by the character William Miller was evident throughout the film,
as only a few brief moments weren't accompanied by a familiar
tune from a 70s rock icon.
A relatively unknown actor out of Utah, Patrick Fugit, portrayed
young William Miller. Miller, raised by his widowed college professor
mother, is a very impressionable teenager who often seeks advice
and reassurance from others. Audiences will definitely take note
of this break-through performance.
His worrisome mother, played by Frances McDormand of "Fargo,"
did her best to keep a watchful eye on her youngest child. After
her daughter leaves home for the ritzy life of a stewardess,
William is the only one left at home and she isn't about to let
him jump ship too.
McDormand's character Elaine is the epitome of the overbearing,
overprotective single mother with her ever-present plea, "Don't
do drugs!" Miller finds a mentor and adviser in well-known
music critic Lester Bangs. Bangs is a cynical business veteran
whose "been there, done that" expertise helps keep
the youngster grounded amidst the rock 'n' roll lifestyle.
One of the most impressive aspects of this semi-autobiography
is the band Miller tours with in order to get his story. The
fictitious band Stillwater opens for marquee bands like Black
Sabbath. In actuality Stillwater was only fictitious in that
they did not exist in 1973.
Seventies superstar Peter Frampton aided the foursome in developing
a sound for the film. Frampton's touch created a band that would
have no doubt been a success at the time. The concert scenes
were too short, teasing the audience with some quality rock 'n'
roll music only to soon continue with Miller's story.
Music and music appreciation were overriding themes in the film,
notably in the Stillwater groupies, or rather "band aids,"
as they were called.
These women followed the band not for the sex and drugs, but
for their love of music. It is music that is the common bond
which heals all wounds for the band, as a sing-along to Elton
John's "Tiny Dancer" makes everything all right with
the world.
Anyone with a love for music will love this film. Cameron Crowe
takes us on a ride with a traveling circus of sorts in a coming-of-age
tale and the uninhibited nature of youth. Make plans for a trip
to Hastings after watching this film, the soundtrack is a must-have.
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