It’s All Happening

Almost Famous is the best movie I’ve seen in a while. Yes, it’s a couple years old, but I don’t watch as many movies as I would like. I rented it to watch with Jen, and we loved it. It then became our Tech Theatre movie of the week.
First of all, some great lines.

Lester Bangs: What, are you like the star of your school?
William Miller: They hate me.
Lester Bangs: You’ll meet them all again on their long journey to the middle.

Elaine Miller: Keep the small bills on the outside and call me if anyone gets drunk.
William Miller: I will call you if anyone anywhere gets drunk.

Lester Bangs: Oh man, you made friends with ’em. See, friendship is the booze they feed you. They want you to get drunk on feeling like you belong.
William Miller: Well, it was fun.
Lester Bangs: Because they make you feel cool, and hey, I met you. You are not cool.

Anita Miller: Listen to Tommy with a candle burning, and you’ll see your entire future.

Russell Hammond: I am a golden god!

Russell Hammond: I never said I was a golden god… or did I?

Anyway, onto the movie. Great movie. From what I understand, it’s semi-autobiographical for writer/director/producer Cameron Crowe: It was a lot more embarrassing and scary than I anticipated. I guess I could have turned back at a couple of points, but I didn’t. It’s a little different if somebody says about Jerry Maguire, “Oh, I’m not really into sports. I didn’t care for it.” That’s different than, “I’m not really into your life. It bored me.”

Most movies having anything to do with bands appeal to me, for obvious reasons. I liked seeing the personal side of Stillwater. Even though they were a fictional band, they were probably pretty typical in many ways. Being in a band is a lot like being in a marriage. When it’s good, it’s really good, and when it’s not good, it’s terrible. Emotions run high. Things get awkward. But that’s what it’s all about.

Patrick Fugit did a great job as William Miller. I loved the fake adult voice he used on the phone with Rolling Stone. Jason Lee was in his element as the brash, loud, and arrogant Jeff Bebe. And Jimmy Fallon was so good I didn’t recognize the first time I watched the movie.

And of course, the “Tiny Dancer” scene, which made the movie.

Now I have to see about getting my hands on the director’s cut, which is significantly longer.

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