Almost Famous: Revisiting Cameron Crowe's Masterpiece

People nowadays seem to have forgotten just how good Cameron Crowe was at his peak. For the writer-director, Almost Famous, which told the story of a teenage rock journalist on tour with a mid-level rock band in the seventies, was his masterpiece. For many of us, it remains one of the greatest modern films, and a masterpiece that, almost twenty-five years later, remains a cultural toustone for many of us. It made Kate Hudson a household name, despite underperforming at the box office, and remains a beloved film for many. On this episode of revisited, we take a look at Crowe’s seminal film and examine how it holds up all these years later.
For more MOVIE NEWS, visit: www.joblo.com
SUBSCRIBE for more of all the LATEST JoBlo Videos here: goo.gl/R9U81J
#AlmostFamous #CameronCrowe #KateHudson

[@trinaq]

The Tiny Dancer sing along is so memorable, this film is a love letter to 60's/70's rock. I also love seeing Zooey Deschanel in a small role as William's cool older sister, before her career really took off.

[@patryce999]

When I was a kid, I used to imagine myself coming back from the future telling me « one day, you’ll be cool » When I saw Zooey Deschannel looking through the camera right in the eyes, it gave me chills and 20 years later, I feel like I am giving that look to my younger self

[@DavidCoombs-k2h]

her career went nowhere this film made Kate Hudson a star

[@ΧρηστοςΠαπαδακης-κ8ξ]

Παπαδακης Γ Χρηστος

[@ΧρηστοςΠαπαδακης-κ8ξ]

Παπαδακης Γ Χρηστος Χρήστος Γ Παπαδακης

[@ΧρηστοςΠαπαδακης-κ8ξ]

Παπαδακης Γ Χρηστος Χρήστος Γ Παπαδακης

[@t4ngy]

To me, this movie is a true love letter to rock n roll. It shows how bad it can get, with the drugs, the heartbreaks, the life on the road with the same people for so long, but also, it shows the true love the artists felt for the music, how they mesmerized people with their songs, how inspiring it was to just be in that environment. I watch this movie at least once a year and it makes me feel so eager to live life to the fullest and just really enjoy the ride.

[@Fxirie_harper08]

I feel the same way about this film. Magical somehow. I’ll be watching it again soon

[@dane3038]

This movie is infinitely rewatchable and stuffed with quotable lines. It should be a cult or semi-mainstream classic like The Breakfast Club

[@monio.9444]

It's all happening! That's right, it deserves so much more. I'm surprised there aren't more videos on youtube analysing it and more movie reactions and all that. Well, in the last 2 years or so, videos about it started to emerge, so I am hopeful that more and more people, especially from the younger generations, will rediscover it and fall in love with it like we did back in the day.

[@lisadc4681]

@dane3038 Except that Almost Famous is 50 times better than The Breakfast Club! Not even close!!

[@CosmicVagabondPixie]

YES Beautiful luvit!

[@fincarosa]

It's already cult like Breakfast Club

[@t4ngy]

I also think it's so amazing that they really had the best casting EVER. I can't even imagine Brad Pitt as Russell, I don't think he would've been able to give that mystique that Billy Crudup gave to the character. A lot of the actors went on to have great careers and become really famous, which shows how well they picked every one of them. This is an iconic movie that is very overlooked.

[@CosmicVagabondPixie]

Beautiful luvit

[@allergictostupidpeople7893]

Brad Pitt = HE would of sucked.. Jimmy Fallon =" HILARIOUS The BAND AIDES❗❗

[@trinaq]

The best Cameron Crowe film, in my opinion, next to "Say Anything." I love how it's his most autobiographical feature, with William being a stand in for his younger self.

[@ryanmckenzie7149]

It's one of the movies I can just watch over and over.

[@Simmer4Decades]

I love how so many of the clips you use are from the director’s cut. The best version by far.

[@monio.9444]

Yess, they cut so many funny or meaningful scenes form it, it's crazy. For most films, the director's cut doesn't really add that much. But with this one, especially the scene where Jeff talks about the chemistry between him and Russel, is key in better understanding why the band works even with all its drama. Also the scene from the radio station is absolutely hilarious.

[@erinaskewhunt]

i always felt like the theatrical version was william’s story, but the director’s cut felt like a documentation of 70s rock

[@monio.9444]

I wish Cameron made more movies that depict experiences like this from back then, because he's in an unique position of having lived this and gotten to see it through his adolescent eyes, and bonus, has the talent of telling the story in such a way that transports the viewer into that atmosphere and and the same time connects the viewer to similar experiences from his own life. Like for example that night when William meets the band, we've all had that one incredible night in our teenage years where we felt like we took a peek behind the curtain and discovered a whole new incredible secret world. And the way it was filmed, even the scene when his mom waits for him in the silent parking lot on a late summer night, while he says goodbye to his crush and dreaming dreams about going to Morocco, feels so so real.

[@FredDrumNGratte]

This movie drags me into a quite dark nostalgic place. Although it's nice and poetic, I fell bitter and awkwardly unsafe. That's how powerful it is to me 😅

[@Josh-Parkhill]

Yah, this movie triggers me too. I came to realize I was prone to second hand embarrassment because of something’s I hadn’t worked through. If you can get to a place where you’re comfortable with the vulnerability it provokes. Watching it can be very cathartic.

[@innovatorschannel1919]

I discovered this movie in 2020 and I was 18. And I loved it and still love it

[@retro_451]

One of my all-time favourite movies.

[@bySterling]

One of the best EVER!! Thank God for bringing Cameron to our World 💯🙏🏻❤️🎥🎬👏🏻

[@ashleyarsenault2130]

I love this movie... asking me what my favorite movie is can be such a loaded question... I remember preparing for a blockbuster rental interview 18 years ago and trying to have a ready answer for what my favorite movie was... incase they asked, they asked me what my favorite movie was and I said Almost Famous 😊

[@jerrypeacock2234]

Criminally underrated movie

[@JudgeFredd]

Underrated ? by who ?

[@jerrypeacock2234]

@@JudgeFredd I see you are a victim of the woefully inadequate education system in this country

[@anotherpeasant]

My dad tried pulling off an Almost Famous in 1969. He was, to put it mildly, a hellion who pushed the envelope and has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar a time or two by Ontario's finest. Anyway, in 1969 my dad wrote the local paper saying he was a freelance music writer and wanted to cover Woodstock. They agreed and when my old man went down to the paper to seal the deal they clearly saw through his baby beard at the 16 year old behind it. Dad said he should have gotten one of his older buddies to go sign the papers for him lol. Hindsight is always 15/10, eh?

[@danyelldoesnot]

There are a few films as a parent I cannot wait to share with my kids when they are old enough (and when I say show I mean watch them as they watch the movie for the first time). And this is without a doubt one of them ❤

[@travelingfool9096]

I went and saw this in the theater and could never understand why it flopped.. This movie is awesome ( and the "untitled" directors cut is even better), This is one of my top 10 movie.

[@mrkit2u]

The studio didn't push it much at all. I couldn't wait for it to come out, but when it did, I had to drive over an hour to see it because they didn't put it in my local theaters.

[@kuzcosmkswed117]

This and Snatch makes me really nostalgic because it reminded me of my grandmothers’ house

[@robertads2258]

This movie never left me. I saw it on TV a couple of years after it came out. Its fantastic soundtrack made me discover a whole world. I just had to get the CD and the DVD. Then I started buying the albums of every single artist in it... All actors are perfectly cast. And Philip Seymour Hoffman is the best among them, of course. Cameron Crowe said it's a film about his love for music, and it's so relatable in that aspect. It's a movie you won't love unless you loved music as much as the characters in it. Listening to songs over and over again... dreaming about a rockstar... waiting for them after a show... going backstage for the first time... those emotions are all there.

[@wwrk25]

One of my favorite things. Was 15 years old in 1973. Song track of this movie takes me right back. Lucky William Miller.

[@lisadc4681]

Me too, exact same age. Turned 16 in Oct. 1973

[@Matt-bg5wg]

definitely one of the best movies of all time

[@curtislindsey1736]

This movie and Pearl Jam 20 are some of Cameron Crowe's best. I'd love it if he did another music feature. Whether it's a documentary or fiction. He has to have tons of stories.

[@JankeyCreator]

I am almost 50. My music is grunge and 90s hip hop, but this is the music I heard in the womb. It is the music my little developing body consumed along with secondhand smoke. This music is home; it was classic rock on 101.5 WPDH in Poughkeepsie. I absolutely love this movie because it is a nostalgia bomb. I have so many good memories connected to this music and I appreciate seeing it honored like this.

[@cookiewoman8959]

Yes! You said the magic words..."vanilla sky is a masterpiece. " My favorite movie of all time.

[@Stuff_And_Things]

Perfect clarity shrouded in an aura of pure innocence. That is my perspective on every character in this incredible movie.

[@MrDjslav5]

What a gem! Truly a love letter to rock & roll of the 70's. Anyone that grew up during the transition of R&R from AM to FM stations will love this film.

[@CourtneyGruenholz]

Cameron Crowe use to be married to Nancy Wilson of Heart around this time but now they are divorced so it was how I got into watching this film and it is now one of my favorites. I have seen every one of Cameron Crowe's films except Aloha and each one is charming in its own way story-wise but you can not deny that Crowe has exquisite taste in music.

[@vicenzor9699]

One of the best movies ever made. I can't think of anything off the top of my head that was clearly better. Some I found very emotionally moving and hard to watch like Glory, but this one is a feel good watch any time. Rare to have that type of movie be of such high quality.

[@haroldbelfast]

You cut too soon when Jason Lee says "I sound like a dick!" And Billy Crudup mumbles "You *are* a dick." Yes, this is one of my top three favorite movies.

[@marcusnolte7476]

The Stillwater EP is so spot on even without the movie context. I love this film so much...

[@nigel-Rollercam-channel]

Almost Famous is brilliant, so is Vanilla Sky along with the soundtracks to both films. Billy Crudup is severely under rated, check out Rudderless (2014) if you haven't seen it

[@javigar133]

You know Vainilla Sky is a terrible remake of Almenabar's classic shut your eyes, right? The original is so much better

[@monio.9444]

Crudup was also in Inventing the Abbotts, which was nice.

[@samjordan3766]

Almost Famous is THE coming of age movie for people my age, which is almost exactly young William's age. It makes me remember falling in love with all those bans, just like that.

[@ambrosephill9]

I love this movie I was between 12 and 19 in the early to mid 70's and I remember this time so well. Living in NC, I did not get into the counter culture part of rock. But the rise of rock and particularly Southern Rock was very much part of my life and my growing up experience. In the beginning I was very naïve. Going to the concerts, getting high, being a young teenage boy, learning about girls, being to shy and naïve about girls. I use to love festival seating, where you could circle back behind stage and see the equipment, roadies, and the entourage walking around and drinking out of paper cups full of obviously "water". Then see girls my age or just a little older sitting behind the stage trying to get the attention of either the band or the entourage. So that they could go back in the dressing area where all the party stuff for the band and entourage was located. I did not realize at the time or I was just to stupid to realize these girls were trying to get back stage to have sex with the band members or the entourage. Come to find out for some girls if they were successful they would brag about it to their friends. Initially I did not understand that, but a friend ask me if during a Fleetwood Mac concert, Steve Nicks called me backstage and then took me to her hotel room for sex. Would I later brag about it. Well yeah!!! Any way I love this movie. Partially because it was during my youth and I recognized everything in the movie. I mean, I realized as soon as I saw the band "Stillwater" that it was suppose to be the "Allman Brothers Band" no doubt and that was before they show the album mock up based on the "Fillmore East" album which is my absolute favorite album and is the best live album in the world of all time. Although some of the morality questions should not be glossed over. I mean if Penny Lane had been your 16 year old daughter and you found out men 5 to 10 years older was giving her alcohol, drugs, and fucking the shit out of her would you not go and kick the lead guitarist ass. I think so, definitely. I don't have a daughter but I have a niece and it is amazing how your perspective changes in situations like that. But other than that it was a great coming of age story. When you are young, losing you naivete, and the world just starts opening up to you.

[@blackamerican40]

I still love the scene where the two people are trying to revive Kate after an overdose and the young Cameron stands back watching while Stevie Wonder's MI Cherie Amore plays in the background.

[@leadsin99er]

This movie was "Incendiary".

[@titusmccarthy]

What about me? I'm incendiary too!

[@fincarosa]

Way to go

[@MUSHROOMRAT750]

I just watched this show again tonight. Movies have lost so much heart. This movie is perfect

[@donaldkrone4717]

A love letter to an awesome movie. really well done. this is one of those movies I have on my DVR that i watch every few months for the hell of it, just because it is so awesome.

[@LedeannaCal]

I saw the movie in the theater and was shocked it was not nominated for best picture.

[@curlyhairedgamer]

this movie came out the year i was born and I just heard about it and watched it for the first time two days ago. Definitely top 10 movies for me now. what a masterpiece

[@jules-yi8rn]

It has probably one of the best ensemble casts for a wider range movie...I fell in love with the story, characters, music, and muse on the first watch.

[@JudgeFredd]

A definitive classic for sure

[@kavinab6629]

After watching this video i now wanna sit and rewatch the film

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Say Anything and Jerry Maguire could be in the consideration for Cameron Crowe’s masterpiece, even though this is the movie he won an Oscar for

[@trinaq]

Agreed, Say Anything and Almost Famous are his best films, in my opinion, they really capture being young, with an impossible love interest.

[@terrellgrant1570]

I still have this on dvd

[@deadbeats4894]

This movie is great. I love Billy Crudup. If you like him you should check out Jesus' Son. He plays the main character FH.

[@kunalincredible]

STILL HOLDS UP!!!! ❤❤❤

[@tomlichnofsky.7048]

Cameron Crowe Makes Really good Movies!! 😎👊✊🍁

[@romanticandperky]

I finally got around to watching this film in it's entirety last night (7-15-2023); before then I had only seen clips of it. I watched it with my Mom. Early in 1970, my now late brother, who was 16 years old at the time, quit school to go on tour with Jimi Hendrix as a guitarist in The Buddy Miles Band. At the time, Mom was not thrilled. She'd seen this movie before, but it was the first time I'd seen it. Rolling Stone magazine once gave a Buddy Miles Band album a bad review, and Buddy, in his anger, stormed the offices of Rolling Stone magazine and put a beatdown on their editor, Jann Wenner. They were doing pretty good up until that point; they were playing the same circuit of rock theatres (Fillmore East and West, the Winterland theatre) as Black Sabbath and Humble Pie. But after that they were forever relegated to the realm of 'almost famous'. After he left Buddy's band, my late brother joined up with Arthur Lee of the group 'Love'. They called themselves 'Band-Aid', and they recorded an album for A & M Records. As far as I know, that probably got a bad review in Rolling Stone, too. But reminds me: I called up my old girlfriend not too long ago; she was sort of a rock n roll groupie back in the day. I asked her if she'd ever seen 'Almost Famous', and, of course, she had; and yes, back in the day she met Humble Pie. She originally broke up with me when she took up the lead singer of The Who (and yes, folks, my name is Tommy). She met Peter Frampton (again) after he left Humble Pie. He was with his then girlfriend, Penny.

[@thecunninlynguist]

Fun fact: Garrett wang (Harry Kim on star trek voyager) auditioned for a role in the film and practically had it in the bag...he was to audition with Crowe but couldn't make the audition due to filming conflicts on some B movie he was on. He more or less stood up Crowe cause Crowe was already waiting. He tells it better on his podcast with robbie McNeil (Tom Paris on voyager)...it's a fairly recent episode, like a month or two ago. Podcast is called delta flyers where they go over voyager eps

[@DelightLovesMovies]

I just watched Almost Famous again a few days ago. Its a really beautiful film.

[@Paul_Simon]

Thank you for the love for Vanilla Sky, but most people missed the mark on Aloha (and before anyone screams about casting Emma Stone, kindly note Dennis Kanahele not only starred as himself in the film, but when asked about this “controversy”, stated that misses the point of the film). But yes, Untitled is still the coolest of #TheUnCool

[@kuzcosmkswed117]

The film has more problems than that dude

[@pamjarrett-s9s]

One of my favorite movies of all time. I have The Directors cut which has 3 DVDs. The original movie, the story told by Cameron, and the soundtrack.

[@justylex]

Hubby and I watch the extended version last night. Such as awesome movie.

[@BlackZynfyndel]

THATS where I recognize the actor who played Pat in the new HBO series about Candy! It was bothering me the entire time! 😂

[@jyveturkey1894]

This is one of those weird cases if not ever seeing this movie. For some reason I missed it back in the day.

[@addyk8140]

Watched this with my 80s parents when it came out i was only 10 but to this day hands down one or my top 5 films from modern days

[@mike91mdk45]

"Rockstars have kidnapped my son."

[@titusmccarthy]

Takes notes.

[@joshbanks9261]

Lester Bangs the best old school rock critic. The pacing of the movie is perfect as we first see William as a dorky kid who doesn't fit in so he relates to the outlaws in music yet they are a different type of black sheep. Being an aspiring in journalist around rock bands especially punk and metal would love to drop out go on the road with a rock band. I left for Asia and travel around to check out live underground music. Almost Famous is a classic one of my all time favorite films.

[@NelsonStJames]

I just realized that Francis McDormand delivered the Taken phone speak 9 years before that film came out is is every bit as menacing as Liam Nesson. Nostalgia googles aside, I still believe being a music journalist today would be a lot less fun than it was in the 70's 80's or 90's.

[@DrVVVinK]

Next you need to do Crow's We Bought A Zoo!

[@Ghastly_Grinner]

Has a really good soundtrack.

[@bfenske9638]

No mention of how Ann Wilson wrote the music for Stillwater? Also, Crowe does audio commentary with his Mom and the special edition.

[@nursebridgie]

Nancy.

[@tmoore4075]

Best movie ever.

[@denisefreitas6727]

One of my favorite movies! The best by Cameron Crowe alongside Pearl Jam Twenty and Say Anything.

[@tomhahnl1927]

Was a big surprise back then for me, I watched the movie at a 'Sneak Preview' and liked it very much!

[@petergriffin355]

Man, the theatrical cut is so underwhelming. It loses so much of the comedic beats and just world building.

[@petarvstanic2233]

Extended DC version > theatrical cut

[@tripbreaker]

Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid…

[@javigar133]

This film is a classic, superb storytelling, great acting performance and nolstalgia on the golden era of Rock n roll. The guitar player looks like Dicky Betts btw

[@CosmicVagabondPixie]

**Beautiful** WoW that was incredible Thank YOU ever so much **Best Music Movie Ever** **Luvit**

[@julienpouliot270]

I think Elizabethtown is under rated! I lved the movie

[@nursebridgie]

Same!!

[@craigphillips6308]

Just rewatched the Untitled version a couple of weeks ago and it still holds up, at least for me, as the greatest film on Rock n' Roll ever made. It rings true in a way that the Amazon series Daisy and the Six (or whatever it's called) doesn't. In fact, I watched one episode of that series and thought it was laughable. Almost Famous is a Masterpiece.

[@accutronitisthe2nd95]

So GREAT!

[@MatthewHarrold]

This movie and Spinal Tap most accurately mirror the music industry IMO. I was part of it for the first 15 years of my working life, but was never almost famous.

[@AndyJay1985]

A lot of people don't believe me at first when I tell them Feel Flows is a Beach Boys song.

[@swettyspaghtti]

What is going on with the audio ? did you cut the mids? its confusing the compressor

[@braudhadoch3432]

Journalist are always in the top 3 most hated off professions behind politician and lawyer

[@neodecker]

I really felt like "Roadies" had a very "Almost Famous" feel to it, and wish it would have done better.

[@regis387]

nicely done :)

[@sebastianbehrendt6077]

how is it possible not to mention tiny dancer and Philip Seymour Hoffman

[@rohinid1329]

Eric Stonestreet is in it too!!

[@orodriguesrickelmy]

I just search for tiny dancer to listen again that masterpiece, but my ADHD bring me to this film. Thank you KZbin or my ADHD. Aniways

[@ultimaterabbit]

God I love this movie!

[@matsfrommusic]

Never realized Maron was in this movie.

[@eflinneflinn]

If you ask musicians about favorite movies, be ready to frequently be told "This is Spinal Tap".

[@hippiecheezburger5457]

Almost Famous when it comes to the writing is really good cause of the love triangle, William loves Penny Lane and she’s been with Russell and their is some kind of tension for a while but by the end she is the one who brings them two together and they both realize that she is the whole reason for their friendship in the end

[@lawrenceestabillo1754]

Favorite scene: Willam and Penny at the airport.

[@newwavepop]

in 2000 i was 28, i remember the film being pretty hyped and getting a lot of praise and i always love movies that are about music and bands so i of course wanted to see it. but when i finally did see it i remember thinking "well that was ok it wasn't bad" but it was not what i was expecting with all the hype i had been hearing. i actually just watched it agan a couple weeks ago because it is currently on youtube movies for free, and it was better than i remember and i liked it to begin with i just hadnt loved it. i thought it was a good film and did a good job of showing the character and his mother, and it did a really good job of showing the girls what they are like and what motivates them to hang around with the bands. but the band themself jusy never feel cool or real to me, Billy is good in the role and likable i just personally would recast the entire band sorry. i understand the band is supposed to be going through a few things and having problems and all that stuff, but i just never felt like it was a real professional actual band. and the stuff we are talking about like the golden god moment and denying the article and stuff like that is fine and that it was inspired by real people and real incidents is great, BUT these real incidents were by actual rock gods. this band in the film doesnt feel like that have that weight to them. i have never found Jason Lee that cool and Billy is good in a sort of mid 70s Eagles looking kind of way but i just feel like this should have been rougher looking band and the other guys really barely get shown. as far as films after it i sort of feel like Cameron is good at coming of age and at music films. he has maybe strayed too far from that with his other stuff.

[@neilmeadowcroft7569]

According to Robert Plant the actual quote was: "I am THE golden god".

[@arthurdurham]

I love this movie but watching as an adult, the ages really skeeve me. Esp when the band just openly lusts after high school girls. It's played a bit too endearingly than it should. But that also may just be the reality of it, it's pretty messed up how much people ignored age back in the day. Otherwise, movie still holds up incredibly.

[@natessaa]

extended cut is superior

[@hannonbaggin1649]

Sometimes, it's hard to watch because these men KNEW these girls were GIRLS. They could tell. And Penny Lane never telling the guys other than william her actual age should've been a tell tell to them. And they sold them in poker matches. In a way, it's romanticising this time era. A lot of these "men" were older than 35... I used to be obsessed with so many of these bands and the time.. but so much abuse happened to young people because they either ran away from home or the parents didn't give a fuck. Like Penny Lanes' mom. She wanted her to marry someone with money. It really pushed her to go for older men. If you look up david bowie, rolling stones, the eagles. I could go on, they all had relationships with girls who were just address 13 to 15. Also Elvis... they used their popularity to get with these young girls. You can't tell me "oh they couldn't tell," bro.. you know damn well, you can tell a difference between a 13 year old and a 23 year old... you can't change my mind.

[@Zombiesnyder13]

WTF happened to Cameron Crowe?

[@DrVVVinK]

He made Matt Damon Bought A Fucking Zoo

[@terrellgrant1570]

Right

[@MijoShrek]

It happens with creatives. You do hit that peak where your making your best work. Not everyone stays there. Or else there wouldn't have been the work you put into your craft, build up on it then another level. Then There's artists you're such a fan of your into whatever they came out with because its them. Spielberg, not every single one was a masterpiece. Led Zeppelin those later albums I don't remember having on repeat like their first few albums.

[@hardingkinnaird5021]

Gotta say- The guitarist is more the joe Walsh don feldar type… glen frey and don henley were (are) the leaders of the eagles and ended up firing don in a sort of power struggle

[@harryqueen8397]

Dr. Jo Blo needs no comment from me... dammit!

[@MrRudyhj]

Aw it's OK, I'm easy to forget, just leave me behind........I'M ONLY THE LEAD F**KING SINGER......HEEEEEEY.

[@Mayor_Of_Eureka17]

I dated the lead roles cousin. Lol

[@xrrrismickey]

McDormsnd made Amidst Famous

[@Destroyer.no.XV.after-Rome]

"I'm on drugs !!!" Nowadays teens on drugs, it's mainstream and not a counterculture thing anymore :"Boring..."

[@mlbw1966]

Funny i watched ALMOST FAMOUS last night ..

[@allergictostupidpeople7893]

WHAT KIND OF BEERR

[@ronaldnoble9694]

Hold me closer tiny dancer