Autobiographical tale of a 15 year old William who gets an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to write about an up and coming rock group in 1973. The young man has his values challenged as he is exposed to groupies, sleazy promoters, drugs, alcohol, sex, and road travel. His college professor mom has shielded him from most of these type influences and her admonition to him is of course, don't take drugs, which he doesn't. His writing guru warns him, don't make friends with them, which he does. And the lead guitarist calls him the enemy.

Writer/Director Cameron Crowe has a real winner here. He presents the seamier side of the rock-culture without becoming completely disgusting. He is able to covey his own eye-opening experiences through the eyes of William (brilliantly portrayed by Patrick Fugit). Frances McDormand is one of those actresses who is wonderful in whatever she does. Billy Crudup does a credible job as Russell the strung-out womanizing guitarist. Kate Hudson brings out both an innocence and cosmopolitan quality in her performance as "Penny Lane" the main groupie (or Band-Aids) as they call themselves

Lots of Oscar buzz about this film and deservedly so.

A all the way

Rated R for language, sexual situations and brief nudity. Bonus for me - Anna Paquin, Fairuza Balk, and Bijou Phillips are also in this film.

Other Grades


McDormand.....A Always

Hudson.......A

Fugit.......A

Paquin.......A+ Always

70's Rock......B-

Rock Band Lifestyle......D+

"You're gonna do things with a B-25 you thought were impossible."
---Spencer Tracy ~THIRTY SECONDS OVER TOKYO~