Almost Famous

I'm glad I saw this and can't say I didn't like it. At the very least, though, it's fair to mention that the longer version (The Bootleg Cut) is unnecessarily drawn out in places (especially in the exposition and at the end). Plus, the film just isn't good enough to keep you unreservedly entertained for the entire two and a half hours. It certainly works as an appealing type of generational statement, and hardcore fans of classic rock will definitely enjoy it, but despite the feel-good vibe of the whole thing I couldn't help feeling that the filmmaking craft here was only slightly above average at best. Even in terms of emotion, it wasn't as strong as I thought it would be. Definitely an enjoyable feel-good film, but that's about it. [65%] (13/01/2022)

I really like rock music, but that fact didn't help me much to get me through this film. It's a decent retro, it has good actors, it's human, and the pleasant emotions are not unnecessarily exacerbated, but it just couldn't grab me by the heart, which personally surprised me quite a bit, because I thought I would like it. (20/02/2018)

"If you think Mick Jagger will still be out there trying to be a rock star at age fifty, then you are sadly, sadly mistaken." +++ These memorable words, along with a lot of other catchphrases, make Almost Famous probably the most entertaining musical film I've ever seen. Cameron Crowe showed here that he is not only a huge fan of rock music, but that he can also bring it to the film audience in a very engaging way. The 1970s were undoubtedly a time when legendary bands created their greatest rock hits, and I am grateful that someone allowed me to peek into the environment where it all happened. It was an incredible ride, which I would love to repeat again. (05/01/2021)

Dear movie: the profaned term "like real life" fits you like few others. Poor William accidentally gets into the backstage of a rock concert in the role of a semi-amateur journalist and from there he's just one step away to getting involved in the big tour of his favorite band. And on top of that, it seems like he has fallen in love with a fellow traveling companion, whom he will never have. If there was something captivating about this film for me, it was precisely William's storyline with Penny Lane, which emotionally practically broke me apart, and during most of their dialogue, I honestly had an authentic feeling in my stomach that would be enough for me to never forget Almost Famous for the rest of my life. Here Cameron Crowe hit the bullseye and it's even more of a pity that their story, in a way, remains untold, and the film spends its remaining running time focusing more on the bromance of the main character with Russell. (19/06/2006)

Cameron Crowe is a rock fan through and through, and you can feel it in some of his films from a hundred lengths of Wembley Stadium. Almost Famous is a nostalgic reminiscence of a time when rock music set the direction and its representatives were social icons: the golden 70s. A nice, clever story, with many life truths and likeable, unassuming faces. And I’m throwing in the fifth star for the incredibly funny "manifesto" of sincerity in the airplane scene. Now, tell me, can you resist a film that has lines like this?: “If you think Mick Jagger will still be out there trying to be a rock star at age fifty, then you are sadly, sadly mistaken.” (02/09/2009)