Every once in a while a film comes along which appeals to everyone. Such is true for Cameron Crowe’s ode to the wild world of 70s music. As you are watching the film nostalgia will wash over you if you of the age to have lived through the era and if you are younger then your appreciation will grow for the music of the era.
First released 21 years ago, the film is a love letter to early 70s rock and the world it existed in. Tie in a coming-of-age story and you have plenty of fun and heartfelt moments. A slice of life we all would have liked to experience. Warren Miller (played by Patrick Fugit) is your typical 15-year-old boy except for one thing. His passion for music. This plus his writing skills gets him an assignment of a lifetime. That is touring with and interviewing rock group Stillwater. To do so effectively he is going to need help and that comes in the form of a young groupie aptly named Penny Lane (played by Kate Hudson).
The film turns the music, heart and fun level right off the scale to 11. A timeless tale. A film which you can rewatch time and time again. Fun young cast which, besides Fugit and Hudson, included Zooey Deschanel, Jason Lee, Anna Paquin, Frances McDormand, Fairuza Balk, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jimmy Fallon, Bijou Phillips, Rainn Wilson, Jay Baruchel, Pauley Perrette, Eric Stonestreet, Marc Maron, and Billy Crudup. All the acting is note perfect here. The actors are greatly aided by the wonderful script penned by Crowe. Then, of course, there is the music. Many of the hits of the era are here featuring Simon & Garfunkel, Iggy Pop, Elton John, The Who along with an original score by Ann Wilson of Heart. One viewing is all it will take to make you feel years younger.
Special Features:
-Digital Copy
-Filmmaker Focus – Cameron Crowe on Almost Famous
-Casting & Costumes
-Rock School
-Odds & Sods
-Audio Commentary with Cameron Crowe and Friends
-Intro by Cameron Crowe
-The Making of Almost Famous
-Interview with Lester Bangs (Optional audio intro by Cameron Crowe)
-Cameron Crowe’s Top Albums of 1973
-“Fever Dog” Music Video
-“Love Comes and Goes” (Optional audio intro by Cameron Crowe)
-Rolling Stone Articles (Optional audio intro by Cameron Crowe)
-B-sides (Optional audio intro by Cameron Crowe)
-Cleveland Concert (Optional audio intro by Cameron Crowe)
-“Small Time Blues”
-Stairway (Optional audio intro by Cameron Crowe)
-Script
-Theatrical Trailer
-Hidden Talent (Unhidden Easter Eggs)
