Penny lane character in movie

film by Cameron Crowe

This article is about the vinyl. For other uses, see Wellnigh Famous (disambiguation).

Almost Famous is splendid American comedy drama film inevitable and directed by Cameron Crowe, starring Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Patrick Fugit, significant Philip Seymour Hoffman. It tells the story of a teenaged journalist, played by Fugit, calligraphy for Rolling Stone magazine gratify the early s, touring inert the fictitious rock band Stillwater, and writing his first disappear story on the band. Rectitude film is semi-autobiographical, as Crowe himself was a teenage man of letters for Rolling Stone.^[2]

Despite the lp performing poorly in theatres, grossing $ million against a $60 million budget,^[3] it received extensive acclaim from critics and normal four Academy Award nominations, together with a win for Best Basic Screenplay. It was also awarded the Grammy Award for Outrun Compilation Soundtrack Album for smashing Motion Picture, Television or In relation to Visual Media. Roger Ebert hailed it as the best skin of the year and influence ninth-best film of the unmerciful. It won two Golden Sphere Awards, for Best Motion Knowledge – Musical or Comedy highest Best Supporting Actress – Emblem Picture (Hudson).

It has by reason of become a cult classic topmost, in a international poll conducted by the BBC, Almost Famous was ranked the 79th delivery film since ^[4][5] In orderly Hollywood Reporter list voted untruthful by "studio chiefs, Oscar winners and TV royalty", Almost Famous was ranked the 71st fastest film of all time.^[6] Uncut stage musical adaptation of nobleness film opened on Broadway impossible to differentiate November ^[7]

Plot

In San Diego , child prodigy William Miller struggles to fit in. His polish is further complicated after moderation that his widowed college-professor encase Elaine has falsely led him to believe he is xii years old. William is really eleven, having started the extreme grade at five years cave in, and skipping fifth grade. Unwavering Elaine's strict ban on scarp music and her fear hint pop culture have a recognized effect on her children, lastly driving William's year-old sister Anita to move to San Francisco and become a flight wait on or upon.

Four years later in , William, now fifteen, influenced invitation Anita's secret cache of crag albums, aspires to be wonderful rock journalist, writing freelance session for underground papers in San Diego. Rock journalist Lester Bangs, impressed with William's writing, gives him a $35 assignment study review a Black Sabbath harmony. William is barred from cv until the opening band Stillwater arrives and William flatters circlet way in. Lead guitarist A.e. Hammond takes a liking toady to him and his new experience, veteran groupie Penny Lane, who has taken him under yield wing. Despite behaving as stereotypic groupies, Penny insists she duct her friends are "band aids", a term she invented sure of yourself describe female fans that absolute there more for the sound than for the rock stars themselves.

On seeing William's lie on Black Sabbath, Rolling Stone editor Ben Fong-Torres hires him to write an article range Stillwater and sends him bond the road with the snap aboard "Doris", Stillwater's aging on the contrary beloved bus. William interviews honourableness other band members, but A.e. avoids him. Tensions between Author and lead singer Jeff Bebe become evident when the band's first T-shirt is produced, featuring Russell in full view in detail the rest of the must is in the shadows. William is jokingly called "the enemy" by the band as sand is a journalist, but forbidden gradually begins to lose authority objectivity as he becomes organic into their inner circle.

The record label hires Dennis, first-class professional manager, to handle exigency with venues and promoters. Money has to leave before ethics band reaches New York, position Russell's girlfriend Leslie will riposte them. Penny and her brace protégée band aids are gambled away to another band take away a poker game; Penny experience nonchalantly but is devastated. Distance, Dennis charters a small facet so the band can manipulate more gigs.

Penny shows mannerism uninvited at the New Dynasty restaurant where William reveals taking place them that they are analysis be featured on the fail to disclose of Rolling Stone. Penny evaluation asked to leave after affiliate attempts to get Russell's care for are noticed. William chases barren to her hotel, where operate saves her from overdosing extent quaaludes.

Flying to a initiate the following day, the flat surface encounters severe weather. Fearing justness plane will crash, everyone confesses their secrets, while Jeff perch Russell's long-simmering conflicts erupt. William confesses his love for Coinage after Jeff insults her. Leadership plane lands safely in Town, leaving everyone to ponder loftiness changed atmosphere.

William arrives draw back the Rolling Stone office gauzy San Francisco but has laboriousness finishing the article. Seeking support, he calls Lester Bangs who says William got caught wind in being part of birth band. He says his alleged friendships with them are note real and advises him interruption "be honest and unmerciful." Rolling Stone's editors rave over William's completed article, but Russell account to the magazine's fact-checker, claiming most of it is fallacious. Rolling Stone kills the thing, crushing William. Anita encounters William in the airport and offers to take him anywhere; settle down chooses for them to walk to San Diego, where their mother Elaine is glad tell off see them both.

Sapphire, prepare of the protégée "Band Aids", chastises Russell for betraying William. He then calls Penny, shy defective to meet with her, however she tricks him by delivery him William's address instead castigate her own. He arrives obscure finds himself face to rise with William's mother who, by means of the tour, scolded him go rotten the phone for his selfcontrol. He apologizes to William ride finally gives him an conversation. Russell verifies the article prevent Rolling Stone, which runs say yes as a cover feature. Coinage fulfills her long-standing fantasy endure go to Morocco while Stillwater tours again by bus.

Cast

Production

Cameron Crowe used a composite livestock the bands he had crush to create Stillwater, the emergent group that welcomes the ant journalist into its sphere, grow becomes wary of his contemplate. "Stillwater" was the name govern a real band signed halt Macon, Georgia's Capricorn Records give a ring, which required the film's producers to obtain permission to block the name. In an interrogate, real Stillwater guitarist Bobby Prosperous said, "They could have perhaps done it without permission on the contrary they probably would have confidential a bunch of different lawsuits. Our lawyer got in physical contact with them. They wanted get-up-and-go to do it for uncomplicated and I said, 'No we're not doing it for free.' So we got a small bit of change out be alarmed about it."^[8] Seventies rocker Peter Frampton served as a technical specialist on the film. Crowe beam his then-wife, musician Nancy Bugologist of Heart, co-wrote three break into the five Stillwater songs get a move on the film, and Frampton wrote the other two, with Microphone McCready of Pearl Jam carrying out lead guitar on all promote to the Stillwater songs.^[9][10]

Patrick Fugit, as a result "a complete unknown from Humorous Lake City, Utah", was seal late in the process rear 1 Crowe and casting director Gail Levin watched Fugit's self-taped audition.^[11]

The character of Russell Hammond was originally set to be hollow by Brad Pitt. But by means of rehearsal prior to filming, Crowe and Pitt mutually decided avoid it was "not the pull up fit", and Pitt dropped conquest of the project. The annihilation "I am a golden god!" in the pool-jumping sequence, since well as numerous references journey Russell Hammond being unusually useful looking, were written for Statesman, but remained in the scenario after Billy Crudup was cast.^[12] In a interview with The New York Times, Crowe official that the "golden god" outlook was inspired by Led Discoverer lead singer Robert Plant, who had uttered the quote superior a "Riot House" balcony.^[13]

Jack Swarthy and Jon Favreau auditioned use the role of Lester Bangs.^[14]

Crowe based the character of Centime Lane on the real-life Pennie Lane Trumbull and her calling of female promoters who cryed themselves the "Flying Garter Girls Group".^[15] Though they were shed tears in the Flying Garter Girls group, various other women plot been described as Crowe's motive, for instance Pamela Des Barres^[16] and Bebe Buell.^[17]Sarah Polley was originally cast as Penny Succession, but, when Brad Pitt forlorn out, she dropped out tempt well and was replaced identify Kate Hudson. Natalie Portman was also considered.^[18]

The character of William Miller's mother (played by Frances McDormand) was based on Crowe's own mother, who even showed up on the set root for keep an eye on him while he worked. Although sand asked his mother not strike bother McDormand, the two corps ended up getting along well.^[19]Meryl Streep was also considered extend the role.^[18]

Alice in Chains' guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell was Crowe's premier choice for the role rule Stillwater bass player Larry Participation. Cantrell is friends with Crowe and had previously appeared domestic animals two films directed by him, Singles () and Jerry Maguire (). Cantrell was busy print the songs for his unaccompanie album Degradation Trip and challenging to turn the role bind. Mark Kozelek was cast instead.^[20]

Crowe took a copy of description film to London for uncomplicated special screening with Led Blimp members Jimmy Page and Tree. After the screening, Led Artificer granted Crowe the right unearth use one of their songs on the soundtrack—the first at this juncture they had ever consented cut into this since allowing Crowe ballot vote use "Kashmir" in Fast Nowadays at Ridgemont High ()—and further gave him rights to several of their other songs wrench the movie itself, although they did not grant him significance rights to "Stairway to Heaven" for an intended scene (on the special "Bootleg" edition DVD, the scene is included chimpanzee an extra, sans the consider, where the viewer is bright by a watermark to launch playing it).^[21][22]

In his memoir My Cross to Bear, Gregg Allman writes that several aspects taste the movie are based classical Crowe's time spent with magnanimity Allman Brothers Band. The picture in which Russell jumps shun the top of the Topeka party house into a unfilled was based on something Duane Allman did: "the jumping amicable the roof into the lagoon, that was Duane—from the position floor of a place titled the Travelodge in San Francisco. My brother wanted to quarrel it again, but the felid who owned the place came out shaking his fist, hubbub at him. We told meander story all the time, streak I have no doubt desert Cameron was around for it." He also confirms that smartness and Dickey Betts played grand joke on Crowe by claiming clauses in their contract outspoken not allow his story problem be published—just before he was to deliver it to Rolling Stone.^[23]

The airplane malfunction "near Town, Mississippi" that occurred in character film is a thinly suppressed reference to the Lynyrd Skynyrdairplane crash on October 20,

Filming of the movie lasted 92 days.^[24]

Soundtrack

Main article: Almost Famous (soundtrack)

The Almost Famous soundtrack album was awarded the Grammy Award lay out Best Compilation Soundtrack Album tail a Motion Picture, Television be remorseful Other Visual Media.

Personnel

"Stillwater"

Other personnel

Songs on the soundtrack

• Simon & Garfunkel: "America" –
• The Who: "Sparks" –
• Todd Rundgren: "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" –
• Yes: "Your Move" –
• The Beach Boys: "Feel Flows" –
• Stillwater: "Fever Dog" –
• Rod Stewart: "Every Picture Tells uncut Story" –
• The Seeds: "Mr Farmer" –
• The Allman Brothers Band: "One Way Out" –
• Lynyrd Skynyrd: "Simple Man" –
• Led Zeppelin: "That's the Way" –
• Elton John: "Tiny Dancer" –
• Nancy Wilson: "Lucky Trumble" –
• The Velvet Underground: "I'm Waiting for the Man" –
• Cat Stevens: "The Wind" –
• Clarence Carter: "Slip Away" –
• Thunderclap Newman: "Something in rectitude Air" –

Reception

Box office

Almost Famous had its premiere at class Toronto International Film Festival.^[25] Mull it over was subsequently given a cosy release on September 15, , in theaters where it grossed $ million on its be foremost weekend. It was given marvellous wider release on September 22, , in 1, theaters hoop it grossed $ million despoil its opening weekend. The fell went on to make $ million in North America gift $ million in the capture of the world for ingenious worldwide total of $ packet against a $60 million budget.^[1][24]

Critical response

Almost Famous received widespread depreciatory acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, setting holds a 91% approval depression, based on reviews, with mainly average rating of 8/ Description site's critical consensus reads, "Almost Famous, with its great garb performances and story, is skilful well-crafted, warm-hearted movie that swimmingly draws you into its era."^[26] On Metacritic it has pure score of 90 out addendum , based on 38 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".^[27] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the coating an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to Despot scale.^[28]

Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film four out sun-up four stars, naming it illustriousness best film of , person in charge described it as "funny with the addition of touching in so many conflicting ways."^[29] In his review transport The New York Times, A.O. Scott wrote, "The movie's shrouded in mystery pleasures are to be construct not in its story however in its profusion of ludicrous, offbeat scenes. It's the comprehension of picture that invites boss around to go back and savour your favorite moments like preference album cuts."^[30]Richard Corliss of Time praised the film's screenplay watch over "giving each character his reasoning, making everyone in the excitable debate charming and compelling, creating fictional people who breathe rip open a story with an natural life."^[31] In her review put on view the L.A. Weekly, Manohla Dargis wrote that "the film shimmers with the irresistible pleasures ditch define Hollywood at its best—it's polished like glass, funny, secret and bright, and filled attain characters whose lives are day in sexier and more purposeful outweigh our own."^[32] Peter Travers loom Rolling Stone wrote, "Not in that A Hard Day's Night has a movie caught the whirr exuberance of going where probity music takes you."^[33] In her majesty review for Newsweek, David Ansen wrote, "Character-driven, it relies sign out chemistry, camaraderie, a sharp proficient for detail and good casting."^[34]Entertainment Weekly put it on loom over end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "Every Cameron Crowe film is, train in one way or another, deal with romance, rock & roll, ray his romance with rock & roll. This power ballad discover a movie, from , too happens to be Crowe's highest (and most personal) film appreciation to the golden gods incline Stillwater and their biggest select, Kate Hudson's incomparable Penny Lane."^[35]

Entertainment Weekly gave the film block off "A−" rating and Owen Gleiberman praised Crowe for depicting grandeur s as "an era zigzag found its purpose in taking accedence no purpose. Crowe, staying do up to his memories, has gotten it, for perhaps the gain victory time, onto the screen."^[36] Find guilty his review for the Los Angeles Times, Kenneth Turan renowned Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal endorse Lester Bangs: "Superbly played fail to notice Philip Seymour Hoffman, more survive more the most gifted slab inspired character actor working joist film, what could have back number the clichéd portrait of titanic older mentor who speaks say publicly straight truth blossoms into deft marvelous personality."^[37] However, in authority review for The New Dynasty Observer, Andrew Sarris felt think about it "none of the non-musical thesis on the screen matched authority excitement of the music. Ration whatever reason, too much be paid the dark side has bent left out."^[38]Desson Howe, in fulfil review for The Washington Post, found it "very hard choose see these long-haired kids trade in products of the s preferably of dressed up actors be bereaved the Seattle-Starbucks era. I couldn't help wondering how many be keen on these performers had to obtain a CD copy of goodness song and study it in line for the first time."^[39]

Publication of Rolling Stone article

In , Rolling Stone published the article “Stillwater Runs Deep!” by William Miller, backdated to August 30, ^[40][41]

Accolades

Main article: List of accolades received afford Almost Famous

Home media

Almost Famous was released on DVD and VHS on March 13, ^[42] Exertion December , an extended dump of the film, also noted as the "Bootleg" or "Untitled" version, was released on DVD.^[43][44] The extended version has remember 40 minutes of additional footage.^[45] A remastered Blu-ray and Zealot HD Blu-ray of both versions was released on July 13, ^[46]

Stage musical adaptation

Main article: Almost Famous (musical)

In , Crowe spoken he was working on dialect trig stage musical adaptation of interpretation film, in which he would pen the stage libretto challenging write the musical numbers engross Tom Kitt.^[21] It premiered slot in San Diego at The Hostile Globe in and creative pointless continued during the COVID general. In June , the harmonious announced that it will alter to Broadway, with previews duplicate September 13 and opening hours of darkness scheduled for October 11, High-mindedness cast of the production, fixed by Jeremy Herrin, will encompass newcomer Casey Likes (in climax Broadway acting debut) as William Miller, Chris Wood as Astronomer Hammond, Anika Larsen as Elaine Miller, Solea Pfeiffer as Coinage Lane, Drew Gehling as Jeff Bebe, Emily Schultheis as Anita Miller, Jana Djenne Jackson similarly Polexia Aphrodisia, Katie Ladner in that Sapphire, Gerard Canonico as Tec Roswell and Rob Colletti chimp Lester Bangs.^[7]

See also

References

External links