Almost Famous

10 years ago, when I was even more reckless in my DVD buying habits than I am now, I blind-bought the “Bootleg Cut” of this movie.  I watched almost all of it, but for reasons I’d forgotten, turned it off and got rid of the DVD.  I couldn’t get hold of the “Bootleg Cut” this time, but the reasons for abandoning the film all came flooding back to me.  I take no joy in trashing beloved films.  I really don’t.  I’m not one of those “bad boy” reviewers who tries to get attention or seem like an individualist by going against the grain, raging against the machine, what have you.  I don’t go looking for fights, I dread them.  I want everyone to love me.

Cameron Crowe wants everybody to love him, too, I’m sure.  Maybe that’s why I don’t like his movies.  They have such an air of desperation to them, you’re going to love these characters or else.  You’re going to wish you were on that bus singing “Tiny Dancer” with Billy Crudup and the gang.  I hate that scene.  Absolutely despise it.  It reeks of sentimental, romanticized, phony nostalgia.  Music brings us all together, man.  Music!  Would I have liked it any more if it wasn’t Elton John?  I don’t think so.  So many cloyingly “meaningful” and “sweet” moments, or silly quotes about the rock ‘n’ roll spirit or some such nonsense.  And I hate Kate Hudson, with her pouty-lipped, desperate attempts to be adorable, and I hate her stupid character.  I’ve known people like that.  Ugh.

Sigh.  Okay, I’ll be nice.  Let’s be nice for a minute.  I liked Patrick Fugit.  He seems okay.  I guess he was in White Oleander, but I’ve forgotten him as I’ve forgotten everything else about that movie.  But yeah, he’s all right.  Frances McDormand is decent, too.  And hey, it’s cool to see Marc Maron and Mark Kozelek (and apparently Mitch Hedberg, though he went by too fast for me to realize until the credits).  Everyone else pretty much annoyed me, though.  Even Philip Seymour Hoffman, although I don’t really like Lester Bangs either, so maybe that was a no-win from the get-go.  Sorry… nice!  Um, well… the movie isn’t too boring.  Kind of repetitive and safe and unsurprising, but you can sit through it.  The soundtrack helps, Elton John and the bland “Stillwater” songs notwithstanding.  There are a few nice shots. 

I just… I don’t like this movie.  It’s trying too hard to make me love it, and love these people and their beautiful flaws, and love the music and the era and the groovy vibe.  Don’t be so needy, movie.  And get rid of Kate Hudson.  Rating: Poor

IMDb