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Almost Famous

  • 20002000
  • RR
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
272K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
459
62
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Kate Hudson in Almost Famous (2000)
Theatrical Trailer from Dreamworks
Play trailer2:26
4 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Adventure
  • Comedy
  • Drama

A high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.A high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.A high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.

IMDb RATING
7.9/10
272K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
459
62
  • Director
    • Cameron Crowe
  • Writer
    • Cameron Crowe
  • Stars
    • Billy Crudup
    • Patrick Fugit
    • Kate Hudson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Cameron Crowe
  • Writer
    • Cameron Crowe
  • Stars
    • Billy Crudup
    • Patrick Fugit
    • Kate Hudson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 927User reviews
    • 170Critic reviews
    • 90Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 53 wins & 103 nominations total

    Videos4

    Almost Famous
    Trailer 2:26
    Almost Famous
    'Almost Famous' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:39
    'Almost Famous' | Anniversary Mashup
    Streaming This Week: Adam Driver, "Harley Quinn," and a Very Scary Doll
    Full Episode 3:39
    Streaming This Week: Adam Driver, "Harley Quinn," and a Very Scary Doll
    Which Celebs Almost Played Rock Stars?
    Video 3:59
    Which Celebs Almost Played Rock Stars?

    Photos253

    Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit in Almost Famous (2000)
    Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit in Almost Famous (2000)
    Frances McDormand stars as Elaine Miller
    L to R - Jason Lee, John Fedevich, Noah Taylor, Billy Crudup and Mark Kozelek
    Michael Angarano appears as the young William
    Patrick Fugit stars as William
    Alice & William come home from the road
    Billy Crudup stars as Russell Hammond
    Polexia & Jeff Bebe (Anna Paquin & Jason Lee)
    The "Band Aids" - Polexia, Sapphire and Estrella
    William follows Stillwater on the road
    Kate Hudson stars as Penny Lane

    Top cast

    Edit
    Billy Crudup
    Billy Crudup
    • Russell Hammondas Russell Hammond
    Patrick Fugit
    Patrick Fugit
    • William Milleras William Miller
    Kate Hudson
    Kate Hudson
    • Penny Laneas Penny Lane
    Frances McDormand
    Frances McDormand
    • Elaine Milleras Elaine Miller
    Jason Lee
    Jason Lee
    • Jeff Bebeas Jeff Bebe
    Zooey Deschanel
    Zooey Deschanel
    • Anita Milleras Anita Miller
    Michael Angarano
    Michael Angarano
    • Young Williamas Young William
    Anna Paquin
    Anna Paquin
    • Polexia Aphrodisiaas Polexia Aphrodisia
    Fairuza Balk
    Fairuza Balk
    • Sapphireas Sapphire
    Noah Taylor
    Noah Taylor
    • Dick Roswellas Dick Roswell
    John Fedevich
    • Ed Vallencourtas Ed Vallencourt
    Mark Kozelek
    Mark Kozelek
    • Larry Fellowsas Larry Fellows
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    • Lester Bangsas Lester Bangs
    Liz Stauber
    Liz Stauber
    • Leslieas Leslie
    Jimmy Fallon
    Jimmy Fallon
    • Dennis Hopeas Dennis Hope
    Olivia Rosewood
    Olivia Rosewood
    • Beth from Denveras Beth from Denver
    Bijou Phillips
    Bijou Phillips
    • Estrella Starras Estrella Starr
    Alice Marie Crowe
    • Mrs. Deeganas Mrs. Deegan
    • Director
      • Cameron Crowe
    • Writer
      • Cameron Crowe
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    The early 1970s. William Miller is 15-years old and an aspiring rock journalist. He gets a job writing for Rolling Stone magazine. His first assignment: tour with the band Stillwater and write about the experience. Miller will get to see what goes on behind the scenes in a famous band, including the moments when things fall apart. Moreover, for him, it will be a period of new experiences and finding himself. —grantss
    • rock 'n' roll
    • rolling stone magazine
    • smoking marijuana
    • on the road
    • rock musician
    • 280 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Experience it. Enjoy it. Just don't fall for it.
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Music
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for language, drug content and brief nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      To look like a real rock band, the four actors in Stillwater rehearsed for four hours a night, five nights a week, for six weeks.
    • Goofs
      At the Black Sabbath show where William first meets Stillwater, someone backstage wears a 1997 Black Sabbath Reunion "Devil Twins" T-Shirt.
    • Quotes

      Dennis Hope: 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.

    • Crazy credits
      In the music credits at the end of the film, all songs sung by Stillwater are credited to the characters who would have written them.
    • Alternate versions
      The extended 'bootleg cut' version available on DVD features 39 minutes of additional footage, bringing the running time at 162 minutes. This version is actually titled 'Untitled' and has a title card as such in Cameron Crowe's handwriting.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Nurse Betty/Turn it Up/The Way of the Gun/The Watcher/Dark Days (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      The Chipmunk Song
      Written by Ross Bagdasarian (as Ross Bagdasarian Sr.)

      Performed by The Chipmunks

      Courtesy of EMI Records

      Under license from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets

    User reviews927

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    One of my favourite movies of all-time
    Finally, a movie worth the full price of a ticket! Almost Famous is Cameron Crowe's semi-autobigraphical story of an aspiring rock journalist who goes on tour with a band in the 1970's. If it sounds familiar, it's probably because the story is hardly new. There have been dozens of movies made about the rock and roll lifestyle: the drugs, the sex, the fights, and all the bumps on the road to success.

    So what sets Almost Famous apart? The acting, for one. Frances McDormand was brilliant as William's (newcomer Patrick Fugit) well-meaning but overbearing mother. Fugit, for his part, had a convincing performance as the shy, awkward teenager struggling to be a journalist but at the same time aching to belong. Kate Hudson, in her breakout role as groupie "Penny Lane", gave her character depth beyond what might have been a limiting role. And Billy Crudup, as band Stillwater's charismatic lead guitarist, shines. Jason Lee is always good, and as Stillwater's lead singer, this role is no exception. And I can't review this film without giving a shout-out to the chronically and criminally-underrated Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals every scene he's in with his portrayal of legendary rock journalist Lester Bangs.

    The writing in the film also contributes to its effect. Many of the great lines belong to McDormand but there are plenty of others to go around. In addition, the music of the era can't be beat. Everything from Simon and Garfunkle to Alvin and the Chipmunks shows up at some point in the movie's extensive musical score.

    The plot may not be particularly original, but it rings true. I of course am approaching this review as a music fan and someone interested in the industry. Nonetheless, I believe that even people who couldn't care less about rock music will enjoy this movie, since it's not so much about the music as it is about life. A central theme is the conflict of William: Should he remain a detached but lonely outsider so as to be an impartial journalist, or allow himself to make friends with these people and feel like he belongs? Aside from bringing up questions of journalistic ethics, this dilemma mirrors much of what people in all wakes of life deal with daily.

    Almost Famous is realistic, funny, touching, and one of those rare movies that makes you feel like you've gained something just for having seen it. It's too bad that they say rock and roll is dead, cause we could sure use more movies like this one!
    helpful•331
    53
    • segacs
    • Feb 5, 2005

    FAQ9

    • Is the film based on a true story?
    • Is Stillwater a real band?
    • Is there a real Penny Lane?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 22, 2000 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Almost Famous the Bootleg Cut
    • Filming locations
      • San Diego Sports Arena - 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard San Diego, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • Vinyl Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $60,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $32,534,850
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,314,646
      • Sep 17, 2000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $47,386,287
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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