Customer Reviews

Almost Famous (Widescreen)

5 star:		(269)
4 star:		(58)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

I got this director's cut edition because I so was so intrigued by the original theatrical release. I wanted more.

What I didn't expect was how very the new material (typically extended scenes though there are a few new scenes as well) changed the tone and feel of this film. Penny Lane comes across as a tragic, lost soul. Stillwater comes across as a bunch of debauched, spoiled, poorly educated, brain challenged musicians. The "suits" - including the Rolling Stone "hippy suits" - come across as sharks. William Miller comes across as a well intentioned but naive quick learner. He seems vulnerable. Alot of the ackward mysteries of the theatrical release (How did Lester Bangs and William end up at a pizza joint after they had just said good-bye? Why did Russell deny everything after encouraging William to write what he wanted to? What held Stillwater together after those shocking confessions on the plane? There are many other examples.)

It almost like a different film! In fact, a BETTER film I would have to say.

Further, based on my experience in the music industry I found this director's cut to be more reality than fantasy -- the inverse was true of the theatrical release from my perspective. It's STILL not at a "documentary" level but, hey, this isn't suppose to be a horror flick is it?

Also, I know it's kind of whacky (maybe I'm a brain challenged musician too) but I really dig Stillwater's music. I have been listening to the Stillwater CD that comes in the package since I got it. I agree with Cameron Crowe, if these guys toured I would go see them! The movie is great but this CD (filled with songs by Nancy Wilson of Heart and Peter Frampton) really cooks.

Overall I just couldn't be happier with my Almost Famous Director's Edition set.

I loved this movie. Really, that's all that needs to be said. It is one of those films where you know there are flaws here and there, but it is so utterly engrossing and the tone is so perfect you forget that there are moments when there should have been more drama, but it was toned down for inexplicable reasons.

This is one of my shorter reviews, but really, there isn't much you can say except:

-Kate Hudson was mysteriously intoxicating. You believed every guy wanted her.
-Frances McDromand made you feel sorry for her despite some unnecessary strictness. And she was hilarious.
-If you find rock awesome (like I do), you'll appreciate this portrait of the genre, the bands and the fans, and what drives it all.
-The writing was often clever and involving, if a little on the lighter side (sometimes, not for the best).

So I recommend this film to fans of entertaining, breath-takingly sweet (but not over-the-top), unbelievably "cool" movies, and to fans of classic rock. There's nothing left to say except: have fun.

...beautiful film with an awesome soundtrack. It draws you in and makes you forget who and where you are. Fans will enjoy the extras scenes, commentaries and behind the scenes info on this long version. The "bootleg" look and style of this edition are great fun too.

wow! this movie is amazing! everything about it is excellent. if you have seen the movie youd know exactly what i am talking about.
there is one part in the movie.. william tells his mother he is going to a dance and he gets in the car with penny..and she is talking about never taking it really seriously.. and as there driving if you look into the window you will see the cover of pink floyds dark side of the moon.. and i am not sure if it was intentional. i just thought i would let you know incase you didnt notice..
but any ways what an amazing movie i highly encourage people to see it!
i look at music in a completely different way now

Oh my God.

This movie is so good. Everything about Almost Famous is perfect. The direction, acting, writing. Everything. Watch this and you'll never know how you got along without it.

This movie is, in my own opinion, one of the best movies ever made. After reading some of the reviews here, a few of which are very harsh, I assume you have to be a big music fan to really appreciate the magnificence of this film. The theatrical version really doesn't do this film justice - they're really two completely different films, character development and tone-wise. This longer version really fleshes out everyone's character, and gives you a much deeper understanding of everything in the end. If you have the time, and the love of music, to watch this long film, do it. You won't regret it. It's truly lovely, Cameron Crowe's masterpiece.

although a based on a true story, Almost Famous plays like every 16 year olds rock and roll fantasy. i love this movie.
i cant vouch for its authenticity but you want to believe its all true...who wouldnt want to run away with a rock band..live among the stars and fall in love with Penny Lane..even for a short time..the movie shows the ups and downs of a touring band trying to make it big..in the still some-what innocent times of the 1970's. humor, tears, and hey even a happy ending..just a great movie for anyone who loves music..the dvd has great extras too the deleted scene with "air-drumming" to stairway to heaven is absolutely hysterical.

Almost famous reflects a period when pop music was almost good. The whirlwinds of the Sixties gone and Punk yet to come, the early Seventies' pop music was just produced to keep its industry going.
Almost famous magnificently captures this flat and uninspiring mood, and that's what this movie really is about. Its story just deals with everything everyone knows about pop music: its fans & groupies, its booze & drugs, and people & things rejected for not having the right current image.

A good movie about rock, "Almost Famous" is also one of Cameron Crowe`s best efforts to date. Focusing the daily tribulations of fictional band Stillwater, this story intends to give a scoop into the backstage of the music world, focusing the band members` relationships, the contrived press connections, the groupies` appeal and the extremely difficuld career in the music business. Billy Crudup and Kate Hudson shine as the young, innocent and passionate teen couple who is discovering life through music and must face a new and complex world that forces them to make hard choices. "Almost Famous" is clearly a labour of love, since everyone seems to be enjoying what they`re doing, and the fact that some elements are based on Cameron Crowe`s experiences also helps. Enjoyable and bittersweet, offering strong acting, direction and music, this movie is a worthwile cinematic experience that doesn`t quite change the world but makes it look like a better place.

Above average.

First of all, let me say simply this: Great movie, great soundtrack!! Strangely I discovered the soundtrack before the movie. The soundtrack is what inspired me to rent this DVD. This is a heartfelt coming-of-age movie, partially non-fictional, about a young music fan/journalist named William who is given the opportunity to get away from his difficult mother and tour around with a band named Stillwater. (Stillwater is a fictional band based on the bands Led Zepplin and the Allman Brothers.) Rolling Stone magazine - not aware that William is only 15 - put him on assignment to do a cover story for their magazine. It was quite a magical tale about the love of music and the love for the people who make that music, as well as just how difficult it might be for a journalist, who befriends the band, to be objective in his writing about them. A++ for this movie!