Jon Cheung (filmview)

Yes, this is one of THOSE films which I love just putting on and it can immediately put a smile on my face. It's just such a warm, personal journey and it feels so REAL. Every bit of dialogue feels honest and this is truly one of the best screenplays ever written with some of my favorite dialogue ever. I can probably quote the majority of this film with an initial cue. I just can't emphasize the perfection of every single element in this film from production design to the pitch-perfect soundtrack (and Nancy Wilson's beautiful little compositions) to the INCREDIBLE performance that Kate Hudson puts in (that she has sadly never came within a kilometer of again) to the richness of the characters, this film has it all. The dramatic elements are as extraordinarily poignant as the comedic scenes are funny. My favorite Cameron Crowe quote comes from Vanilla Sky, where Cruise's character remarks, "Little things. There's nothing bigger, is there?" This, to me, is the epitome of all of Crowe's filmmaking. He makes such warm and inviting films that may not deal ingenious structures in writing, etc, but rather, accumulate their power through the little moments. The personal moments that most films neglect in favor of the broad archetypes and situations. The moments that are the most authentic and may seem tiny and insignificant but in the long run and as a whole, have an impact far more lasting and far more powerful than any film has a right to be. This is why Almost Famous is, alongside Shawshank and Usual Suspects, one of my three favorite films. Every moment of this film matters, every single moment has a quality to it that just builds on the overall film. You may not *get it* the first time you watch it (I liked it but it was certainly nowhere near my favorite film at the time) but it'll grow on you, and when you see it again, you'll realize how beautiful the film truly is. I'd recommend starting with the theatrical cut incidentally and then on the second viewing, watching the superior director's cut (named Untitled). I advocate this because the director's cut is a little long perhaps for an introduction to the film but is perfect for those who want to get to know the characters more. As I guarantee you will.

I love this movie more every time I see it...first saw it at the Bytowne Cinemas and it had an immediate impact on me - can't describe it exactly, but it just felt...meditative - in a great way. This movie makes me feel at peace and it's haunting, moving, yet funny when it wants to be. I added Virgin Suicides on the "More Like This" option because it reminds me of that film in that they're both very much about creating a mood. It's very close behind Eternal Sunshine for my favorite of that year.