ALMOST FAMOUS / (2000) ****

Starring: Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Jason Lee, Anna Paquin, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Fairuza Balk, Noah Taylor, and Zooey Deschanel. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe. Running time: 122 minutes. Rated R (for language, sexual content, and drug use). Released by DreamWorks Pictures and Columbia Pictures.

Finally a movie that accurately defines an era through atmosphere and characters instead of reckless stereotypes and over the top clichés. "Almost Famous" is a vivid portrayal of the 1970’s with superb performances and stylish direction. Based on director Cameron Crowe’s real life exploits as a music critic working for Rolling Stone Magazine, the film captures the many complicated feelings of adolescence and takes us on a journey into the past, where we just began to go places, learn responsibilities, and confront our first romantic interest. This is an excellent movie that will undoubtedly appeal to our generation of teenagers.

The film’s main character is William Miller (Patrick Fugit), an intelligent adolescent growing up in the 1970’s in a typical neighborhood with his overbearing mother, Elaine (Frances McDormand) and rebellious older sister, Anita (Zooey Deschanel). When Will is eleven, his sister leaves home to become a stewardess, leaving behind some riveting rock and roll music for him. His mother is a college professor who is against the potentially corrupting lyrics of rock and roll. Will is true to his emotions as well as honest with himself and his upbringing, therefore, when she screams "Don’t do drugs," he listens to her words of wisdom.

"Almost Famous" gives Will superior character development. The audience bonds with his subtle personality that is witty and full of charisma, which essentially carries the story throughout the film. Will is very well written, one of the most relateable, inspiring characters portrayed on the silver screen all year. Smaller roles contribute to the defining of Will, including a precise part of an experienced music critic portrayed with heartiness by Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Through good fortune and talent, Will gets a job at age fifteen with Rolling Stone magazine and ends up following a rising rock band called Stillwater. The guitarist, Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup), befriends and provides him with informative interviews he requires to satisfy the cravings of his employers. Along the way he meets his first romantic interest and guild to his new world, Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), a groupie along with other backstage followers, including Polexia (Anna Paquin from "Fly Away Home") and Sapphire (Fairuza Balk).

It is debatable whether Will follows the band’s tour for the free-wheeling pleasure and to escape his nuisance mother, or if his heart really belongs home with his original family and is simply experimenting with following his dreams. Despite many complaints by her, he seldom obeys his mother’s requests to keep her updated on his standings, although he seems loving, compassionate, and grateful towards her. And at the end of the production, when he is given a choice to travel anywhere he wants, his heart leads him back at the doorsteps of his home sweet home. This is the kind of movie that makes you consider the character’s motives.

"Almost Famous" offers superb performances from all angles of the cast, especially from the young star on the rise, Patrick Fugit, who handles the leading role with subtle heart and lively spirit. He offers inspiration and amazement, and will hopefully be remembered at Oscar time. Frances McDormand is great as the oppressive and worried mom, who realistically portrays a parent desperately attempting to shelter her children from the evils of the world in the 1970’s. Reckless and emotional, Kate Hudson is also strong in an important supporting role. Billy Crudup is zesty and dashing in a part that seems as if he was born to play.

It would be impossible to watch "Almost Famous" without taking the time to notice several of its themes targeted towards teenagers. There are warm-hearted messages about friendships and fame, fortune and romance, faithfulness and arrogance, and drugs. There is a scene in an airplane experiencing difficulties that results not in death or disaster, but in truth telling and feelings being revealed; this is arguably the most important scene in the film.

Cameron Crowe’s pervious work includes the Oscar nominated "Jerry Maguire" and the aimed at teens "Say Anything." With "Almost Famous," he surpasses himself on more than one account. Not only is there a lot to get out of this film, but it also beautifully hits base with its target audience like few films do. "Almost Famous" is one of the best movies of the year; I recommend it highly.