Film Review: ''Almost Famous''

IF YOU are a rock and roll enthusiast, over 40 and maybe one of those who likes writing on such things this would be a movie to watch. For there are elements here in Coloumbia Pictures and Dreamworks Pictures - ``Almost Famous'' - that would be like a walk down memory lane for those who have grown up on a diet of the Beatles, Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, Jimmy Hendricks among others. The rock music, the drugs, the rebelliousness, the alienation and all things associated with music groups in the late 1960s and the early 70's have been depicted through the travails and journeys of a band called Stillwater - an up-and- coming group and the dynamics that take place within a rock and roll-struck 15-year-old (with tremendous writing skills) acting as a catalyst.

A film by Cameron Crowe, (who made Jerry Maguire as well) this is a specialist kind of film - where only interest can ensure sustained viewing till its rather long-winded end. Nice, but a bit tedious.

William is the 15-year-old boy (Patrick Fugit) whose love of music lands him an assignment from the Rolling Stone magazine to interview the emerging popular band Stillwater - with lead guitarist Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup) and lead singer Jeff Bebe (Jason Lee). This puts William on a journey of discovery - of the band and the group dynamics, the excesses, the love and the hatred, fans and their obsessions. A truly learning experience despite his protective mother's warnings of the pitfalls - the friends he makes, the love he finds and the deception and cowardice he has to deal with. The thin line between truth and illusion blurs - making him lose his objectivity and discovering that truth and love are not always straightforward. Nancy Wilson (Musical score) has recreated the feel of the 1960s and 1970s with the band rocking on stage with fervour and passion while Betsy as the costume designer has given the characters a look that could pass off as contemporary too. John Toll's camera work has picked up the concert blues well just as he had done with the hyped energy on stage.

CHITRA MAHESH

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Section  : Entertainment
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