Why “Almost Famous” is the greatest film of all time

The 2000’s film set in 1973 follows the coming of age of 15-year-old William Miller, an aspiring rock and roll journalist. The film follows William as he lands his first big assignment writing about the band Stillwater for Rolling Stone magazine. The young journalist is immersed into the life of rock and roll, groupies, band drama, drugs, affairs and the struggles of being a journalist all while trying to reassure his extremely overprotective and strict mother while on the road. 

There is so much to love about this film, I can’t even express to you how much I love it. This movie was introduced to me by my dad, and while I hate to admit that he has passed down his fantastic taste in music and movies to me, it’s the truth. I live and breathe this film, it’s my absolute favorite movie I have and will ever see. Everything about this film is perfect, the storyline for one is amazing. I mean, who doesn’t want to watch a movie about the lives of a complicated rock band in the 70’s? The soundtrack is immaculate. From Elton John to Black Sabbath the variety of the most impeccable 70’s bangers makes this film. 

The scene when they’re in the tour bus and everyone starts singing along to “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John will forever live in my mind rent free. Anytime I hear that song I immediately think of this scene and it’s beautiful.

One of my favorite moments of the movie is at the beginning of the film when William’s older sister Anita leaves and says “One day, you’ll be cool.”   I don’t know what it is about this moment but I adore it. I think it brings me a little bit of nostalgia in a weird way that I can’t explain.

Almost Famous wouldn’t be Almost Famous without the iconic Penny Lane.

She is my icon, my role model, the woman I have shaped my personality around. The scene at the beginning of the film where William meets Penny while trying to get in to interview Black Sabbath was the start of something great. This woman single handedly changed the “groupie” scene. 

This line lives inside of me. I mean as a girl who OBSESSES over bands and music this line is my anthem. 

And of course we HAVE to talk about Russel Hamond. This man is rock and roll. He is a dream. Everything about him is perfect and I love this character but at the same time want to hate him. The tension between him and Penny is what I live for, they’re perfect for each other but will never have each other making a perfect storyline for the film. Throughout the film Russel is always an entertaining moment on screen. From his scenes on stage and in conflict with the band to his flirty affairs with Penny, and his complicated friendship with William it’s hard for him to be unlikeable despite the way he treats those around him. 

An obvious turning point in the film is the scene in the plane. Everything about this scene is perfect, the tension throughout and then the final breaking point. The way that every single one of them confesses their deepest darkest secrets because they think it’s the end and then it ends up that everything is fine makes this scene a million times better. I won’t go too much into depth about this scene as it’s way better if you see it yourself but just know that it is everything. 

My absolute favorite part of the movie is the ending. Russel shows up unknowingly at William’s house after thinking that it was Penny’s address. Russel finally apologizes for ruining William’s story for Rolling Stone magazine and is forced to give him the interview he had been waiting for throughout the tour. My favorite line in the entire film comes from when Williams asks Russel a simple question, “So Russel, what do you love about music?” and Russels reply is “To begin with, everything.” It gets me every time and I have no explanation for why but all I know is that scene right there brings me so much joy, it’s the perfect way to end the film. 

As you can see I adore this movie. There is nothing better and I will never ever get tired of rewatching it. If you love music (specifically rock and roll) and the entire 70’s era, you will love this movie. This film has single handedly shaped my personality, when I tell you I genuinely think about this film all the time I’m being 100 percent honest. If you haven’t seen this masterpiece of a film, go watch it right now. I promise you will not regret it but as always no one will ever like this movie like I like this move. It’s just a fact.