What do you get when you combine a coming-of-age tale with a rock ‘n’ roll story that takes place during the 70s—the answer is “Almost Famous” and as comedic and reflective as those elements sound, the film does an excellent job at portraying the life of a teenager who’s obsessed with rock music during its so-called last years of relevancy.
Partially based on Cameron Crowe’s years as a writer for
Rolling Stone magazine, the film follows 15-year-old William Miller (Played by
Billy Crudup) who’s an aspiring rock journalist in 1973. His inspiration is
rock critic Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who serves as his mentor when
he finally gets the opportunity to go on tour with the band Stillwater and
cover them for Rolling Stone. William’s time on tour with the band is
undoubtedly filled with adventure, but he comes to realize that rock musicians
and their music isn’t all what it seems and he’s faced with the harsh reality
of what it means to be a true fan of rock ‘n’ roll.
Although not a main character, Lester Bangs serves as the invisible
guide for William that lingers throughout the film. When William first meets
Lester in person and tells him his intentions to become a rock critic like him,
Lester is quick to say that his passion is a dying one. “Well, your writing is
damn good. It’s just a shame you missed out on rock and roll.” Lester tells
William. “I did?” “Oh Yeah, It’s over.” “Over?” “Over. You got here just in
time for the death rattle, the last gasp, the last grope.” “Well. At least I’m
here for that.”
Despite the slight discouragement from his own role model,
William knows that his heart belongs with rock criticism. Lester sees that, and
perhaps seeing himself in the younger kid, he gives him an assignment to
interview Black Sabbath. Although the interview doesn't go as planned, William
finds himself living his wildest dreams and touring with a band that he really
enjoys. There, he meets the band and their dedicated fans called the
“Band-Aids,” led by the mysterious Penny Lane (Kate Hudson).
William’s determination to properly cover Stillwater is
constantly interrupted by unexpected events that happen to them on tour, some
events causing William to call Lester or try to take matters into his own
hands. Moments like these remind the audience that William is still a kid, and
he’s being exposed to things that could ruin his perception of rock in general.
Through these experiences, he mentally grows up, learning that life has to be
faced with the truth no matter how harsh it is. Reality is a concept that is
never talked about while on tour, because everyone is enjoying themselves and
living only for the music. But when it’s time to return to the real world, the
transition proves to be harder to accept.
“Be honest and unmerciful.” These words spoken by the film’s
hero, Lester, serve as the theme of the movie. As a rock critic, one has to be
honest in order to speak to the people, the fans. Lester constantly tells
William that band members will betray him because of his honesty, but that was
a reality that he had to accept a critic of their music. This is something any
critic can relate to—the internal vow to be honest for the audience. Despite
taking place in the 70s, this a film that any aspiring critic can relate to
because of its mere truth behind telling the truth—immersing oneself in their
passion while also being honest about the contents of it. This is where “Almost
Famous” succeeds at; describing the process of being a reviewer and a fan, a
professional and an amateur at the same time.
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