Almost Famous review

["Brian Cady" <cadyb@home.com>]

I saw the new Cameron Crowe movie last night.

REQUIRED.

If you haven't heard of it, it's the slightly fictionalized story of how
Crowe became a rock journalist for Creem at age 14.  He hooks up with a
fictional band called Stillwater on their 1973 tour and accompanies them and
their groupies on tour becoming emotionally involved while trying to write a
cover story on them for Rolling Stone.  His moral guides through the world
of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll are provided by frequent (and hilarious)
phone calls from his mom (Frances McDormand) and calls to Lester Bangs
(Philip Seymour Hoffman).

Who references abound.  The best is near the beginning as his rebellious
sister leaves home and donates her secret stash of rock albums to her
brother (the mother disapproves of rock).  He opens the parcel to find a
copy of "Tommy" and plunks the needle onto "Sparks."  His (amazing?) journey
begins, not with the spinning wheels of a train as in an old movie, but with
the spinning Decca record labels for Tommy.  Later, he decks out his room in
rock posters with the Marquee poster prominently placed over his bed.
Several other references are sprinkled throughout the movie.  One of the
Stillwater band says, "you can't explain rock 'n' roll!  Well, maybe Pete
Townshend can..."

It's a warm and very funny movie considering it's all set in the heart of
Rock 'n' Roll Babylon.  The performances are great and some of the scenes
are destined to become classics (certainly the bumpy airplane trip).  Do go.
You'll love it.

        -Brian in Atlanta
         The Who This Month!
        http://members.home.net/cadyb/who.htm