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Almost Famous
The screenplay of the brilliant new film about rock 'n' roll journalism, from the writer/director of Jerry Maguire.
Inspired by his own start in journalism as a teenage reporter for Rolling Stone, Cameron Crowe has created a coming-of-age story that is both funny and moving—and laced with sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Set in 1973 and starring Frances McDormand, Billy Crudup, and Noah Taylor, Crowe's new film tells the story of a fifteen-year-old boy whose dream of becoming a rock journalist comes true when Rolling Stone sends him on tour with the up-and-coming rock band Stillwater—loosely based on Led Zeppelin—over the objections of his protective mother. Crowe brings the same wry humor he brought to Jerry Maguire as well as the brilliant evocations of teen life that animated his earlier cult film Fast Times at Ridgemont High to chronicle and celebrate a pivotal moment in rock history—and one teenage boy's place in it.
Inspired by his own start in journalism as a teenage reporter for Rolling Stone, Cameron Crowe has created a coming-of-age story that is both funny and moving—and laced with sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Set in 1973 and starring Frances McDormand, Billy Crudup, and Noah Taylor, Crowe's new film tells the story of a fifteen-year-old boy whose dream of becoming a rock journalist comes true when Rolling Stone sends him on tour with the up-and-coming rock band Stillwater—loosely based on Led Zeppelin—over the objections of his protective mother. Crowe brings the same wry humor he brought to Jerry Maguire as well as the brilliant evocations of teen life that animated his earlier cult film Fast Times at Ridgemont High to chronicle and celebrate a pivotal moment in rock history—and one teenage boy's place in it.
188 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2000
4 people are currently reading
1523 people want to read
About the author
Cameron Crowe
34 books220 followersCameron Bruce Crowe is an Academy Award winning American writer and film director. Before moving into the film industry, Crowe was contributing editor at Rolling Stone magazine, for which he still frequently writes.
Crowe has made his mark with character-driven, personal films that have been generally hailed as refreshingly original and void of cynicism. Michael Walker in the New York Times called Crowe "something of a cinematic spokesman for the post-baby boom generation" because his first few films focused on that specific age group, first as high schoolers and then as young adults making their way in the world.
Crowe's debut screenwriting effort, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, grew out of a novel he wrote while posing for one year undercover as a student at Clairemont High School in San Diego, California, USA. Later, he wrote and directed one more high school saga, Say Anything, and then Singles, a story of Seattle twentysomethings that was woven together by a soundtrack centering on that city's burgeoning grunge music scene. Crowe landed his biggest hit, though, with the feel-good Jerry Maguire. After this, he was given a green light to go ahead with a pet project, the autobiographical effort Almost Famous. Centering on a teenage music journalist on tour with an up-and-coming band, it gave insight to his life as a 15-year-old writer for Rolling Stone. Also, in late 1999, Crowe released his second book, Conversations with Billy Wilder, a question and answer session with the legendary director.
Crowe has made his mark with character-driven, personal films that have been generally hailed as refreshingly original and void of cynicism. Michael Walker in the New York Times called Crowe "something of a cinematic spokesman for the post-baby boom generation" because his first few films focused on that specific age group, first as high schoolers and then as young adults making their way in the world.
Crowe's debut screenwriting effort, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, grew out of a novel he wrote while posing for one year undercover as a student at Clairemont High School in San Diego, California, USA. Later, he wrote and directed one more high school saga, Say Anything, and then Singles, a story of Seattle twentysomethings that was woven together by a soundtrack centering on that city's burgeoning grunge music scene. Crowe landed his biggest hit, though, with the feel-good Jerry Maguire. After this, he was given a green light to go ahead with a pet project, the autobiographical effort Almost Famous. Centering on a teenage music journalist on tour with an up-and-coming band, it gave insight to his life as a 15-year-old writer for Rolling Stone. Also, in late 1999, Crowe released his second book, Conversations with Billy Wilder, a question and answer session with the legendary director.
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December 15, 2024
I want to take a moment to apologize to the Fae King himself, Robert Plant, for being too harsh on him in my Hammer of the Gods review. I've come across a bunch of stories about him being a genuinely nice guy to fans and regular folks. Even Pamela Des Barres, the legendary groupie who dated Jimmy Page and traveled with Led Zeppelin, called him a true gentleman. Sure, Robert had his fun with groupies - after all, he was known for rocking his girlfriends' shirts on stage (you didn't think those snug shirts were his, did you?). Although he displayed some unruly behavior, it was not as extreme as that of some of his bandmates. As the saying goes, the bar is in hell.
Would a dove have perched upon him during a concert had he not been a virtuous individual?
The dove is fortunate to have chosen Robert Plant as its landing spot instead of Ozzy Osbourne.
RIP unknown dove
This review was originally intended to be lighthearted and fun; however, there are serious matters concerning minors and abuse that must be addressed. If you have experienced trauma or are sensitive to these subjects, please consider this a heads-up. I will address sensitive topics towards the conclusion of my review.
Almost Famous, a semi-autobiographical Oscar-winning comedy-drama by Cameron Crowe, is my favorite film, second only to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It's a perfect love letter to rock and roll, especially the extended cut. Some of my other favorite films by Cameron Crowe include Jerry Maguire, Elizabethtown, and Singles (If you're into grunge, check out Singles, which features cameos and performances from Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and Soundgarden).
Crowe graduated from high school at just 15 years old and quickly landed a job as a writer for the legendary Rolling Stone magazine. At the age of 16, he hit the road with The Allman Brothers. In 1975, when he was 17, he toured with Led Zeppelin. In addition to his experiences with these iconic bands, he also had the opportunity to interview music legends like David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, and Eric Clapton, among others. I think it's pretty funny that Crowe continues to be so well-respected and adored at Rolling Stone magazine, especially after including this line in his film: 'He looks harmless but he does represent the magazine that trashed Layla, broke up Cream, ripped every album Led Zeppelin ever made.'
SPOILERS
William Miller is a 15-year-old high school senior nearing graduation. He is passionate about music, struggles to connect with his classmates, and aspires to become a renowned writer. He has an overprotective mother who is a college professor, played by four-time Oscar winner Frances McDormand. His older sister, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, gifts him her favorite rock records, which change his life. Cameron finds guidance from the iconic music journalist and critic Lester Bangs, played by the Oscar-winning Philip Seymour Hoffman. While Lester has a deep love for music, he is critical of musicians and their antics. He delivers many unforgettable quotes, but my personal favorite is: “You cannot make friends with the rock stars… They are not your friends. These are people who want you to write sanctimonious stories about the genius of the rock stars, and they will ruin rock ’n’ roll and strangle everything we love about it.”
Lester gives him the task of attending a Black Sabbath concert and composing a review. While outside the venue, he encounters "band-aids," girls who admire music and musicians but reject the term "groupie," considering it sexist and derogatory. Among them is the charismatic Penny Lane, the legendary band-aid who is as mysterious as she is captivating. Shortly after the band Stillwater and its enigmatic lead guitarist, Russell Hammond, arrive to perform at a show. This moment marks a significant turning point in William's life. William writes an article about Sabbath, which catches the attention of Ben Fong-Torres, Rolling Stone's editor. Impressed by his writing, the editor encourages him to write a feature on Stillwater and join them on tour. This opportunity pulls William out of his sheltered suburban existence and plunges him into the exhilarating and chaotic realm of rock and roll.
I have created a brief overview of Cameron Crowe's, aka the REAL William Miller, career in journalism:
Led Zeppelin's 1975 Rolling Stone cover and interview with Cameron Crowe
Cameron Crowe alongside The Golden God, a nickname frequently given to Robert Plant.
Cameron Crowe with The Dark Lord, Jimmy Page's nickname, on The Starship, Led Zeppelin's private jet. I'm not sure what he's eating but I know there's some cocaine in it.
Cameron Crowe with Marc Bolan, The Pixie Prince of Glam Rock, who tragically died in a car accident at the young age of 29.
The Allman Brothers Rolling Stone cover. Some of the interactions between William and Russell in the movie actually reflect the real-life interactions between Cameron Crowe and Gregg Allman.
Cameron's Crowe's Eagles 1975 cover story. Many people consider the Eagles to be the greatest American rock band. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
The fictional band Stillwater
Russell Hammond, portrayed by Billy Crudup, is modeled after Glenn Frey, the founder of the Eagles. The fictional band Stillwater is inspired by real groups Cameron Crowe interviewed, such as the Eagles, The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. This film is filled with nods to Led Zeppelin, like the moment when Russell Hammond shouts from a rooftop, declaring, 'I am a golden god.' There's also Sapphire's dramatic entrance where she asks, 'Does anybody remember laughter?' Plus, there's the scene at the Continental Hyatt House, where we encounter Vic, the superfan of Led Zeppelin. Fun fact: the Continental Hyatt House earned the nickname Riot House because of the outrageous behavior of rock stars like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Jim Morrison during their stays there.
Led Zeppelin is well-known for being quite protective of their music and rarely permitting its use in films. However, they made an exception for Cameron Crowe, granting him the rights to not just one, but five of their songs for his movie, WHICH IS A MIRACLE (the movie includes five songs, while one of them is featured on the official soundtrack). I believe Crowe may have had insider information from his time touring with them and possibly blackmailed them. That's my personal canon. Side note: it's amusing that John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin's bassist, disliked his bandmates so much that he would book separate hotels for himself, his wife, and his daughters. I have no choice but to stan.
Russell Hammond and Jeff Bebe, Stillwater's guitarist and lead singer, are similar to Page and Plant and Jagger and Richards, as noted in the movie. Their dynamic is one of the highlights of the film. Like Jagger and Richards, or Plant and Page, they have a strong musical bond but a complicated relationship offstage.
Almost Famous explores the world of groupies just as much as it does the lives of musicians. The film centers around Penny Lane, a free-spirited, music-loving groupie played by Kate Hudson. Penny Lane was inspired by the real-life groupie Pennie Lane Trumbull, a friend of Cameron Crowe, who holds her in high regard. Additionally, the character is influenced by notable groupies like Pamela Des Barres, who dated Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, and Mick Jagger, as well as Bebe Buell, a model who dated Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and gave birth to his daughter, the famous actress Liv Tyler.
Penny Lane stands out as my favorite character in the film. She’s a captivating muse who brightens every room she enters and effortlessly connects with everyone, including William. While she appears strong and carefree, there’s a deeper vulnerability beneath her cheerful exterior. Her intense, long-term romance with Russell Hammond adds complexity to her character. It’s heartbreaking when she travels to New York, hoping to reunite with him, only to discover he’s with his wife. In her despair, she retreats to her hotel room, takes too many pills, and asks William, "Why doesn’t he love me?"
This reminds me of the lyrics from Lana Del Rey's song, This Is What Makes Us Girls: There she was, my new best friend, high heels in her hand, swayin' in the wind, she starts to cry, mascara running down her little Bambi eyes, "Lana, how I hate those guys."
Russell: Well, it's finally over with Leslie. I'm going to call her.
Sapphire: Let her retire. You want to lock her up in a house in Michigan? Please. Write her a song someday. She deserves it. Something about that girl brought out the best in a lot of... (looks around backstage) ... pretty average people. She deserves it... because something tells me twenty years from now, we'll remember her... and not much else.
Aside from Pamela Des Barres, Bebe Buell, and Pennie Lane Trumbull, there are several other well-known groupies, such as Audrey Hamilton (who dated Robert Plant, even though both of them were married at the time), Anita Pallenberg (I could write an entire review about her relationships with Brian Jones and Keith Richards), Nancy Spungen (the punk icon known for her relationship with Sid Vicious), Connie Hamzy, Sable Star (who was 13 when she slept with Iggy Pop, or more accurately when she was taken advantage of by Iggy Pop), Lori Mattix, and Cynthia Albritton (who is well-known for making plaster casts of the genitalia of her rock star lovers).
It is particularly alarming that a significant number of groupies were minors. The most heartbreaking story for me is that of Lori Mattix (also known as Lori Maddox), who was just 14 when she entered this world. Lori lost her virginity to David Bowie at the young age of 14. At the same age, she entered a relationship with Jimmy Page, who isolated her in his hotel room and restricted her interactions with his band and crew to avoid their judgment. It's truly disheartening that even today, Lori seems unaware of the wrongness of what Bowie and Page did to her. I've watched several of her interviews, and she continues to speak of both Bowie and Page with a sense of admiration. This got me thinking about how Elvis Presley started dating Priscilla when she was just 14. What’s the deal with musicians and their attraction to 14-year-olds?
I experienced several inappropriate situations with older guys and men when I was still a minor. These incidents occurred in various places, like on a train, in a park, at a festival, and even in an optician's office (I wish I were making this up). I recall one particular train ride where a guy did something that really affected me. I shared the story with a friend, and we ended up laughing about it, even though it wasn't funny. That's just how girls often cope with these experiences. It frustrates me that when a woman shares her story of harassment or assault, she often faces judgment and questions about why she didn't speak up sooner. People overlook how challenging it is for young girls to discuss these topics. Many times, they don’t even recognize that what happened to them was wrong.
Many might argue that Lori's experience was typical for her time, as it was common for girls to date older men and marry young. While it's true that society was more accepting of such things in the past, that does not mean it was right. At least Lori managed to survive, a fate that Nancy Spungen unfortunately did not share. Nancy, a figure who has inspired both films and literature, met her demise at the hands of Sid Vicious, although the question of his culpability remains a topic of ongoing debate. I continue to appreciate this film, despite its failure to explore the more troubling elements of groupie culture. It's crucial to acknowledge that not all groupies were victims; some were older, aware of their choices, and simply looking to enjoy themselves. I'll wrap up this review with a quote from Penny Lane - I always tell the girls never take it seriously. If you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. If you never get hurt, you always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, you can just go to the record store and visit your friends.
Would a dove have perched upon him during a concert had he not been a virtuous individual?
The dove is fortunate to have chosen Robert Plant as its landing spot instead of Ozzy Osbourne.
RIP unknown dove
This review was originally intended to be lighthearted and fun; however, there are serious matters concerning minors and abuse that must be addressed. If you have experienced trauma or are sensitive to these subjects, please consider this a heads-up. I will address sensitive topics towards the conclusion of my review.
Almost Famous, a semi-autobiographical Oscar-winning comedy-drama by Cameron Crowe, is my favorite film, second only to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It's a perfect love letter to rock and roll, especially the extended cut. Some of my other favorite films by Cameron Crowe include Jerry Maguire, Elizabethtown, and Singles (If you're into grunge, check out Singles, which features cameos and performances from Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and Soundgarden).
Crowe graduated from high school at just 15 years old and quickly landed a job as a writer for the legendary Rolling Stone magazine. At the age of 16, he hit the road with The Allman Brothers. In 1975, when he was 17, he toured with Led Zeppelin. In addition to his experiences with these iconic bands, he also had the opportunity to interview music legends like David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, and Eric Clapton, among others. I think it's pretty funny that Crowe continues to be so well-respected and adored at Rolling Stone magazine, especially after including this line in his film: 'He looks harmless but he does represent the magazine that trashed Layla, broke up Cream, ripped every album Led Zeppelin ever made.'
SPOILERS
William Miller is a 15-year-old high school senior nearing graduation. He is passionate about music, struggles to connect with his classmates, and aspires to become a renowned writer. He has an overprotective mother who is a college professor, played by four-time Oscar winner Frances McDormand. His older sister, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, gifts him her favorite rock records, which change his life. Cameron finds guidance from the iconic music journalist and critic Lester Bangs, played by the Oscar-winning Philip Seymour Hoffman. While Lester has a deep love for music, he is critical of musicians and their antics. He delivers many unforgettable quotes, but my personal favorite is: “You cannot make friends with the rock stars… They are not your friends. These are people who want you to write sanctimonious stories about the genius of the rock stars, and they will ruin rock ’n’ roll and strangle everything we love about it.”
Lester gives him the task of attending a Black Sabbath concert and composing a review. While outside the venue, he encounters "band-aids," girls who admire music and musicians but reject the term "groupie," considering it sexist and derogatory. Among them is the charismatic Penny Lane, the legendary band-aid who is as mysterious as she is captivating. Shortly after the band Stillwater and its enigmatic lead guitarist, Russell Hammond, arrive to perform at a show. This moment marks a significant turning point in William's life. William writes an article about Sabbath, which catches the attention of Ben Fong-Torres, Rolling Stone's editor. Impressed by his writing, the editor encourages him to write a feature on Stillwater and join them on tour. This opportunity pulls William out of his sheltered suburban existence and plunges him into the exhilarating and chaotic realm of rock and roll.
I have created a brief overview of Cameron Crowe's, aka the REAL William Miller, career in journalism:
Led Zeppelin's 1975 Rolling Stone cover and interview with Cameron Crowe
Cameron Crowe alongside The Golden God, a nickname frequently given to Robert Plant.
Cameron Crowe with The Dark Lord, Jimmy Page's nickname, on The Starship, Led Zeppelin's private jet. I'm not sure what he's eating but I know there's some cocaine in it.
Cameron Crowe with Marc Bolan, The Pixie Prince of Glam Rock, who tragically died in a car accident at the young age of 29.
The Allman Brothers Rolling Stone cover. Some of the interactions between William and Russell in the movie actually reflect the real-life interactions between Cameron Crowe and Gregg Allman.
Cameron's Crowe's Eagles 1975 cover story. Many people consider the Eagles to be the greatest American rock band. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
The fictional band Stillwater
Russell Hammond, portrayed by Billy Crudup, is modeled after Glenn Frey, the founder of the Eagles. The fictional band Stillwater is inspired by real groups Cameron Crowe interviewed, such as the Eagles, The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. This film is filled with nods to Led Zeppelin, like the moment when Russell Hammond shouts from a rooftop, declaring, 'I am a golden god.' There's also Sapphire's dramatic entrance where she asks, 'Does anybody remember laughter?' Plus, there's the scene at the Continental Hyatt House, where we encounter Vic, the superfan of Led Zeppelin. Fun fact: the Continental Hyatt House earned the nickname Riot House because of the outrageous behavior of rock stars like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Jim Morrison during their stays there.
Led Zeppelin is well-known for being quite protective of their music and rarely permitting its use in films. However, they made an exception for Cameron Crowe, granting him the rights to not just one, but five of their songs for his movie, WHICH IS A MIRACLE (the movie includes five songs, while one of them is featured on the official soundtrack). I believe Crowe may have had insider information from his time touring with them and possibly blackmailed them. That's my personal canon. Side note: it's amusing that John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin's bassist, disliked his bandmates so much that he would book separate hotels for himself, his wife, and his daughters. I have no choice but to stan.
Russell Hammond and Jeff Bebe, Stillwater's guitarist and lead singer, are similar to Page and Plant and Jagger and Richards, as noted in the movie. Their dynamic is one of the highlights of the film. Like Jagger and Richards, or Plant and Page, they have a strong musical bond but a complicated relationship offstage.
Almost Famous explores the world of groupies just as much as it does the lives of musicians. The film centers around Penny Lane, a free-spirited, music-loving groupie played by Kate Hudson. Penny Lane was inspired by the real-life groupie Pennie Lane Trumbull, a friend of Cameron Crowe, who holds her in high regard. Additionally, the character is influenced by notable groupies like Pamela Des Barres, who dated Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, and Mick Jagger, as well as Bebe Buell, a model who dated Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and gave birth to his daughter, the famous actress Liv Tyler.
Penny Lane stands out as my favorite character in the film. She’s a captivating muse who brightens every room she enters and effortlessly connects with everyone, including William. While she appears strong and carefree, there’s a deeper vulnerability beneath her cheerful exterior. Her intense, long-term romance with Russell Hammond adds complexity to her character. It’s heartbreaking when she travels to New York, hoping to reunite with him, only to discover he’s with his wife. In her despair, she retreats to her hotel room, takes too many pills, and asks William, "Why doesn’t he love me?"
This reminds me of the lyrics from Lana Del Rey's song, This Is What Makes Us Girls: There she was, my new best friend, high heels in her hand, swayin' in the wind, she starts to cry, mascara running down her little Bambi eyes, "Lana, how I hate those guys."
Russell: Well, it's finally over with Leslie. I'm going to call her.
Sapphire: Let her retire. You want to lock her up in a house in Michigan? Please. Write her a song someday. She deserves it. Something about that girl brought out the best in a lot of... (looks around backstage) ... pretty average people. She deserves it... because something tells me twenty years from now, we'll remember her... and not much else.
Aside from Pamela Des Barres, Bebe Buell, and Pennie Lane Trumbull, there are several other well-known groupies, such as Audrey Hamilton (who dated Robert Plant, even though both of them were married at the time), Anita Pallenberg (I could write an entire review about her relationships with Brian Jones and Keith Richards), Nancy Spungen (the punk icon known for her relationship with Sid Vicious), Connie Hamzy, Sable Star (who was 13 when she slept with Iggy Pop, or more accurately when she was taken advantage of by Iggy Pop), Lori Mattix, and Cynthia Albritton (who is well-known for making plaster casts of the genitalia of her rock star lovers).
It is particularly alarming that a significant number of groupies were minors. The most heartbreaking story for me is that of Lori Mattix (also known as Lori Maddox), who was just 14 when she entered this world. Lori lost her virginity to David Bowie at the young age of 14. At the same age, she entered a relationship with Jimmy Page, who isolated her in his hotel room and restricted her interactions with his band and crew to avoid their judgment. It's truly disheartening that even today, Lori seems unaware of the wrongness of what Bowie and Page did to her. I've watched several of her interviews, and she continues to speak of both Bowie and Page with a sense of admiration. This got me thinking about how Elvis Presley started dating Priscilla when she was just 14. What’s the deal with musicians and their attraction to 14-year-olds?
I experienced several inappropriate situations with older guys and men when I was still a minor. These incidents occurred in various places, like on a train, in a park, at a festival, and even in an optician's office (I wish I were making this up). I recall one particular train ride where a guy did something that really affected me. I shared the story with a friend, and we ended up laughing about it, even though it wasn't funny. That's just how girls often cope with these experiences. It frustrates me that when a woman shares her story of harassment or assault, she often faces judgment and questions about why she didn't speak up sooner. People overlook how challenging it is for young girls to discuss these topics. Many times, they don’t even recognize that what happened to them was wrong.
Many might argue that Lori's experience was typical for her time, as it was common for girls to date older men and marry young. While it's true that society was more accepting of such things in the past, that does not mean it was right. At least Lori managed to survive, a fate that Nancy Spungen unfortunately did not share. Nancy, a figure who has inspired both films and literature, met her demise at the hands of Sid Vicious, although the question of his culpability remains a topic of ongoing debate. I continue to appreciate this film, despite its failure to explore the more troubling elements of groupie culture. It's crucial to acknowledge that not all groupies were victims; some were older, aware of their choices, and simply looking to enjoy themselves. I'll wrap up this review with a quote from Penny Lane - I always tell the girls never take it seriously. If you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. If you never get hurt, you always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, you can just go to the record store and visit your friends.
May 23, 2014
It is still my favorite movie of all time, and reading the screenplay only seems to enhance my love for it. It is about love, sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but really at its heart and soul Almost Famous is about growing up. It is the ode to those who have ever pursued a passion, those who have had to accept the reality of life, whether they are a fifteen year old journalist, or a 30 year old rock star. It has brilliant vibrant characters, and you can feel the love and personal touch Crowe brings to the script.
April 8, 2017
"I always tell the girls never take it seriously, if you never take it seriously you never get hurt, if you never get hurt you always have fun, and if you ever get lonely just go to the record store and visit your friends."
November 1, 2020
" Tiny dancer continues on the bus stereo . Russell sits up front , swathed in a large robe . He is alone and silent . William watches him from four rows back , next to penny . She kisses the top of his forehead , a hero's welcome . He yawns . The song's vocal begins . Then , after a beat , we hear a voice or two , fighting the quiet and singing along . Then others .. Waking up .. Joining in . Then Jeff . Russell hears them and starts to sing along too , louder now , without turning around . It's a voice everyone wants to hear . like it or not , this is his family .
William : I have to go home . Penny : You are home " .
Well if you haven't watched almost famous , you probably missed this incredibly beautiful memorable scene : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwGP...
A great screenplay from a great director that turned out to be one of my favorite movies of all time and the best - according to WatchMoJo.com and WatchMojo never lies - Rock n Roll movie of all time . This is the first screenplay I have ever read and it was just as sweet as the movie . But if you are interested in reading the screenplay , I recommend watching the movie first .A fantastic journey of each of the characters finding who they really are or who the real " uncool " persons within themselves are . Absolutely life changing with deeply written characters , moving passionate story framed by the glory of music and fame , hidden life lessons , and many great music choices that will enrich your library if you are an old music fan like me .
William : I have to go home . Penny : You are home " .
Well if you haven't watched almost famous , you probably missed this incredibly beautiful memorable scene : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwGP...
A great screenplay from a great director that turned out to be one of my favorite movies of all time and the best - according to WatchMoJo.com and WatchMojo never lies - Rock n Roll movie of all time . This is the first screenplay I have ever read and it was just as sweet as the movie . But if you are interested in reading the screenplay , I recommend watching the movie first .A fantastic journey of each of the characters finding who they really are or who the real " uncool " persons within themselves are . Absolutely life changing with deeply written characters , moving passionate story framed by the glory of music and fame , hidden life lessons , and many great music choices that will enrich your library if you are an old music fan like me .
October 12, 2025
Almost Famous, written and directed by Cameron Crowe
If you want to learn more about the making of this exciting, effervescent, happy, rewarding, joyful, clever, funny, exceptional film, you could watch a documentary called Rolling Stones-Stories from The Edge, which reveals stories from the history of the magazine, including the Cameron Crowe experience and details about characters that appear in this feature and have been there in real life: Ben Fong- Torres.
The cast is sensational, with Jimmy Fallon in a minor role and Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Patrick Fugit, Zooey Deschanel, Anna Paquin and the memorable, late and regretted Philip Seymour Hoffman in roles that make the screen sparkle with the magnificence of the interpretations.
William Miller is the hero of this motion picture, which has deservedly won an Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay, and the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture –Comedy or Musical and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role and it could, maybe should have won- at least tied with Gladiator- the Oscar for Best Picture.
Cameron Crowe is using autobiographical elements to weave a very endearing, amusing, truthful, imaginative narrative about the joy ride experienced by a fifteen-year-old creative boy who embarks on the trip of his life, discovering music, sex, writing and life in the process of his emancipation.
William Miller has the chance to write an article for Creem and this attracts the attention of Ben Fong-Torres of Rolling Stones fame, who offers the opportunity of a launching pad, inviting the writer- he had no idea of the age of his freelance- to cover a band on a tour, all expenses paid.
Early on, the film refers to To Kill a Mocking Bird, which is quoted by Elaine Miller, the hero’s mother aka Frances McDormand, who is very worried for her daughter and the distance growing between them, since the latter is listening to Simon and Garfunkel, ostracized by the parent because they mention drugs in their lyrics.
Zooey Deschanel aka Anita Miller feels her brother, William, is robbed of his adolescence and she is so angry with her mother that she leaves the house and becomes a flight attendant, traveling so far to get away from the overbearing teacher.
William Miller tries to get in, through the special entrance, to attend a Black Sabbath concert, only to be rejected by the doorman, which gives him the chance to meet girls that live with the bands- albeit they are not groupies- among them the beautiful, sensual, mysterious Penny Lane aka the Golden Globe winner for this part-Kate Hudson.
Stillwater is a band that has had some good songs, it is ascending, in spite of internal frictions, especially between the guitarist Russell Hammond and the other three musicians, and when they arrive at the concert, they encounter the young reporter who convinces them of his talent, although they are aware that he is “The Enemy” – someone who will write what he sees, even if that may describe the protagonists as silly or foolish.
William travels with the band, he is supposed to write two thousand words, for which he will get $ 1,000 from Rolling Stone, even if he had only written just a few pages so far, he is just a beginner-an unknown fact at the magazine- and he runs the risk of getting too close to the band.
The young journalist learns a lot from Lester Bangs aka Philip Seymour Hoffman, who first warns his disciple that he must keep the distance, realize that Lester and the apprentice are “un-cool”, they have the brains, while the musicians have the looks and the writers the talent and the ability to enjoy other things in life; when the hero is in a crisis, his mentor has the formula which is – “Stillwater is a mediocre band, struggling to cope with its fame and recent popularity”.
Lester Bangs insists that the most important thing for an aspiring journalist is a reputation for being honest and unmerciful, which the hero will try, while he is witness to internal fights and accusations, following the presentation of shirts that have Russell prominent and the others faded in the background.
“The Enemy” listens to Russell Hammond as he speaks about his superiority and his reluctance to abandon the other members, even though they are beneath him, because he feels sorry for them, now that they have large houses and bills to pay, they embark together on an adventure, attending a party in a small town, where the guitarist drinks beer with LSD, gets drunk and high, climbs the roof of the house where he shouts that he is a “golden god” and then he jumps…into the nearby swimming pool.
We also find dialogue on the meaning of music, the “rock and roll lifestyle”, the opinions that rock and roll may be approaching its end, a funny argument made by the new impresario aka Jimmy Fallon, who says that nobody can imagine Mick Jagger singing and touring at fifty- and yet he has been doing that after that age and continues well into his seventies…”Moves Like Jagger”.
On the personal level, Penny Lane has a continuing affair with Russell, notwithstanding the fact that she is only a teenager, about the same age as the hero, the musician has a “stable” relationship with another, adult woman- who is also cheating on him with the vocalist- and this is affecting the balance, development, understanding and the perspective of the girl.
After she learns she has been “sold” for fifty dollars and a case of beer, she tries to be amusing by asking what kind of beer, but she takes the lesson, lecture from William- who is asking the girl if she has any “normal” friends, given that she keeps mentioning celebrities, stars, mostly famous members of music bands and the hero states that he would wonder in her place if these people are not using him.
There is exhilaration when the members of Stillwater find that they will be on the cover of the Rolling Stones, followed by outrage, when they hear that “The Enemy” wants to publish the truth, what he heard them say- at one moment, they think they are all going to die, as the plane is descending out of control and they confess their best kept secrets.
If you want to learn more about the making of this exciting, effervescent, happy, rewarding, joyful, clever, funny, exceptional film, you could watch a documentary called Rolling Stones-Stories from The Edge, which reveals stories from the history of the magazine, including the Cameron Crowe experience and details about characters that appear in this feature and have been there in real life: Ben Fong- Torres.
The cast is sensational, with Jimmy Fallon in a minor role and Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Patrick Fugit, Zooey Deschanel, Anna Paquin and the memorable, late and regretted Philip Seymour Hoffman in roles that make the screen sparkle with the magnificence of the interpretations.
William Miller is the hero of this motion picture, which has deservedly won an Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay, and the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture –Comedy or Musical and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role and it could, maybe should have won- at least tied with Gladiator- the Oscar for Best Picture.
Cameron Crowe is using autobiographical elements to weave a very endearing, amusing, truthful, imaginative narrative about the joy ride experienced by a fifteen-year-old creative boy who embarks on the trip of his life, discovering music, sex, writing and life in the process of his emancipation.
William Miller has the chance to write an article for Creem and this attracts the attention of Ben Fong-Torres of Rolling Stones fame, who offers the opportunity of a launching pad, inviting the writer- he had no idea of the age of his freelance- to cover a band on a tour, all expenses paid.
Early on, the film refers to To Kill a Mocking Bird, which is quoted by Elaine Miller, the hero’s mother aka Frances McDormand, who is very worried for her daughter and the distance growing between them, since the latter is listening to Simon and Garfunkel, ostracized by the parent because they mention drugs in their lyrics.
Zooey Deschanel aka Anita Miller feels her brother, William, is robbed of his adolescence and she is so angry with her mother that she leaves the house and becomes a flight attendant, traveling so far to get away from the overbearing teacher.
William Miller tries to get in, through the special entrance, to attend a Black Sabbath concert, only to be rejected by the doorman, which gives him the chance to meet girls that live with the bands- albeit they are not groupies- among them the beautiful, sensual, mysterious Penny Lane aka the Golden Globe winner for this part-Kate Hudson.
Stillwater is a band that has had some good songs, it is ascending, in spite of internal frictions, especially between the guitarist Russell Hammond and the other three musicians, and when they arrive at the concert, they encounter the young reporter who convinces them of his talent, although they are aware that he is “The Enemy” – someone who will write what he sees, even if that may describe the protagonists as silly or foolish.
William travels with the band, he is supposed to write two thousand words, for which he will get $ 1,000 from Rolling Stone, even if he had only written just a few pages so far, he is just a beginner-an unknown fact at the magazine- and he runs the risk of getting too close to the band.
The young journalist learns a lot from Lester Bangs aka Philip Seymour Hoffman, who first warns his disciple that he must keep the distance, realize that Lester and the apprentice are “un-cool”, they have the brains, while the musicians have the looks and the writers the talent and the ability to enjoy other things in life; when the hero is in a crisis, his mentor has the formula which is – “Stillwater is a mediocre band, struggling to cope with its fame and recent popularity”.
Lester Bangs insists that the most important thing for an aspiring journalist is a reputation for being honest and unmerciful, which the hero will try, while he is witness to internal fights and accusations, following the presentation of shirts that have Russell prominent and the others faded in the background.
“The Enemy” listens to Russell Hammond as he speaks about his superiority and his reluctance to abandon the other members, even though they are beneath him, because he feels sorry for them, now that they have large houses and bills to pay, they embark together on an adventure, attending a party in a small town, where the guitarist drinks beer with LSD, gets drunk and high, climbs the roof of the house where he shouts that he is a “golden god” and then he jumps…into the nearby swimming pool.
We also find dialogue on the meaning of music, the “rock and roll lifestyle”, the opinions that rock and roll may be approaching its end, a funny argument made by the new impresario aka Jimmy Fallon, who says that nobody can imagine Mick Jagger singing and touring at fifty- and yet he has been doing that after that age and continues well into his seventies…”Moves Like Jagger”.
On the personal level, Penny Lane has a continuing affair with Russell, notwithstanding the fact that she is only a teenager, about the same age as the hero, the musician has a “stable” relationship with another, adult woman- who is also cheating on him with the vocalist- and this is affecting the balance, development, understanding and the perspective of the girl.
After she learns she has been “sold” for fifty dollars and a case of beer, she tries to be amusing by asking what kind of beer, but she takes the lesson, lecture from William- who is asking the girl if she has any “normal” friends, given that she keeps mentioning celebrities, stars, mostly famous members of music bands and the hero states that he would wonder in her place if these people are not using him.
There is exhilaration when the members of Stillwater find that they will be on the cover of the Rolling Stones, followed by outrage, when they hear that “The Enemy” wants to publish the truth, what he heard them say- at one moment, they think they are all going to die, as the plane is descending out of control and they confess their best kept secrets.
November 8, 2022
Not having seen the film before today, I both watched Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous and read the screenplay because an interview in the November 2022 AARP Bulletin caught my attention.
Both were fascinating, especially as I was part of the circus (roadie, not groupie, thank you very much) back in my younger days. it brought back so many feelings and memories that I'm glad I did, and I plan to read Crowe's other screenplays as well.
If rock and roll ever fascinated you, you might want to give this screenplay a try. I believe you'll find it enjoyable -- especially if you were coming of age during the time Mr. Crowe is writing about.
Both were fascinating, especially as I was part of the circus (roadie, not groupie, thank you very much) back in my younger days. it brought back so many feelings and memories that I'm glad I did, and I plan to read Crowe's other screenplays as well.
If rock and roll ever fascinated you, you might want to give this screenplay a try. I believe you'll find it enjoyable -- especially if you were coming of age during the time Mr. Crowe is writing about.
April 6, 2023
my favorite movie of all time and the book is just clearly no exception- o but except it is, it’s NOT my favorite book. now can you imagine my surprise at that, fabulous book fantastic everything green under the sun i love love love love that this is a word for word of the greatest movie to ever exist. but i’m not here to give a good noshin to the film let’s talk about this biblical publication this is gonna be kept in my treasure collection so i too am forever with the band. YOUR AURA ITS PURPLE !! PURPLE ITS PURPLE !! AMAZIN !!!
June 19, 2018
my favorite movie. my favorite screenplay. if you have never seen this movie, watch it, it will change your life. especially if you're a music lover (of the classic rock/70s variety)!!
reread (06/19/18): decided to reread this because i haven't watched my movie (and yes i call it my movie because its my favorite movie of all time) in a while and was feeling very sick yesterday and needed to take my mind off of it. anyways, 3 years later from the first time i read the screenplay and saw this movie, just having graduated college still figuring out what i want to do, and this screenplay/movie still holds up for me. cameron crowe conveys a feeling from a time i didn't experience myself so well and its just a piece of art that gains more meaning everytime i visit it whether by page or by the tv screen. again, if you haven't watched the movie, i'd suggest doing so.. but the extended directors' cut is the version to get!
reread (06/19/18): decided to reread this because i haven't watched my movie (and yes i call it my movie because its my favorite movie of all time) in a while and was feeling very sick yesterday and needed to take my mind off of it. anyways, 3 years later from the first time i read the screenplay and saw this movie, just having graduated college still figuring out what i want to do, and this screenplay/movie still holds up for me. cameron crowe conveys a feeling from a time i didn't experience myself so well and its just a piece of art that gains more meaning everytime i visit it whether by page or by the tv screen. again, if you haven't watched the movie, i'd suggest doing so.. but the extended directors' cut is the version to get!
May 3, 2014
One of my favourite movies!
I love all of Cameron Crowe's work (including the criminally underrated Vanilla Sky) and I never thought he could top Jerry Maguire but he may have gone and done it with Almost Famous.
In fact, he did.
Crowe's characters just ring true.
Nothing is false or forced. Every emotion seems genuine and hard earned, not a facet of structured cliche.
Add to that the inspired cast, the dream like imagery, the heart winning music, the legendary arc of rock and roll of the seventies and you have an award winning screenplay that celebrates coming of age and staying forever young at the same time.
It wins me over every time. In fact, I forget just HOW GOOD this film is until I see it again, and the screenplay is the blueprint for how cinematic gold was achieved.
And Crowe LIVED IT!
I love all of Cameron Crowe's work (including the criminally underrated Vanilla Sky) and I never thought he could top Jerry Maguire but he may have gone and done it with Almost Famous.
In fact, he did.
Crowe's characters just ring true.
Nothing is false or forced. Every emotion seems genuine and hard earned, not a facet of structured cliche.
Add to that the inspired cast, the dream like imagery, the heart winning music, the legendary arc of rock and roll of the seventies and you have an award winning screenplay that celebrates coming of age and staying forever young at the same time.
It wins me over every time. In fact, I forget just HOW GOOD this film is until I see it again, and the screenplay is the blueprint for how cinematic gold was achieved.
And Crowe LIVED IT!
September 7, 2014
Being a teenage reporter for Rolling Stone is a dream job...
August 19, 2021
The movie soundtrack carries you effortlessly through the script as it does the movie.
April 4, 2019
Best movie ever.
January 14, 2022
do you ever love a movie so much you buy the screenplay just to read it and highlight all your favourite lines? yeah me too
May 16, 2022
Did we InterLibrary Loan the original published copy of Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous screenplay, even though we own and have read a perfectly adequate reprint that (as far as I can tell) is exactly the same? Yes, yes we did. (Are you really surprised?) No matter how many times we watch the movie, listen to the soundtrack, or (now) read the screenplay, we’re right back into being obsessed with this gem of a film – and we have no plans on stopping anytime soon. Those liminal times of year when we’re transitioning into and out of summer seem to be the time when I crave the film the most, so doing a rewatch and a re-read right now hit just where we needed it to.
August 9, 2021
In the distant past, had previously watched ‘Almost Famous’ (movie) at least a couple times. Though it had been awhile since I viewed the film, glad I was finally able to read the script, it was excellent!
What stood out for me were the great characterizations, the comedic moments, the descriptions that immersed you into the life of touring with a rock band, and the multi-musical references and lyrics to experience the time period and feelings of tour life with a band.
After reading the script, I want to view the film again!
What stood out for me were the great characterizations, the comedic moments, the descriptions that immersed you into the life of touring with a rock band, and the multi-musical references and lyrics to experience the time period and feelings of tour life with a band.
After reading the script, I want to view the film again!
Read
November 18, 2025quite different than the final film! i liked the ambiguity of the script’s ending but i understand it needed a bit more studio polish. crowe also wrote penny sooo insufferable and kate hudson saved her i can’t lie
January 8, 2020
A teenage boy travels the country with a new rock band. he sees the groupies, sex and drugs that go along with that culture.
August 12, 2021
A well written screenplay but personally not my favorite. I wish it was a little darker but that's just me.
January 31, 2023
swill merchants
Read
November 2, 2025it’s all happening
July 17, 2024
Brilliant. I loved the writing in it I thought it was beautiful. Bit confusing and I didn’t really know what was going on at times but the writing was just so good that I didn’t care.
October 11, 2010
I was so obsessed with Almost Famous that I bought and devoured the screenplay, which, as you might imagine, didn't add a whole lot to the experience.
August 31, 2011
It's practically the shooting script, yet all the characters are so much more likable and the story so much more engrossing in the movie. Go fig.
July 7, 2016
ნათქვამია, სცენარში არ უნდა ჩანდეს პერსონაჟების ფიქრები და განცდებიო.
ამ სცენარში ორივეა.
და ოსკარიც აიღო.
შესანიშნავია <3
ამ სცენარში ორივეა.
და ოსკარიც აიღო.
შესანიშნავია <3
August 31, 2024
POPSUGAR 2024: A book that was published 24 years ago
April 18, 2017
A good read with some great moments: singing Buddy Holly during plane trouble is priceless. Being one of the 'smart kids' I can identify with the protagonist. Enjoyable if you like the subject matter, but forgettable in the grand scheme of things.
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