Almost Famous Release Date: July 29th, 2005 (USA) MPAA Rating: PG Michael's Role: Young William Miller Also Starring: Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson Directed by: Cameron Crowe Produced by: Cameron Crowe, Ian Bryce, Lisa Stewart Screenplay by: Cameron Crowe Genres: Comedy, Drama and Musical/Performing Arts Running Time: 2 hrs. 2 min. Distributors: DreamWorks U.S. Box Office: $32,522,352

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Fifteen-year-old avid rock fan William lands an assignment from Rolling Stone to accompany a fledgling band from Michigan called Stillwater on their first tour. As he becomes more involved with the band members, he loses his objectivity and is soon entangled in the infamous 70's rock scene. The adventure teaches him a life-changing lesson about the importance of family -- the ones we inherit, and the ones we create.

William at age 11 is shaped and influenced by his controlling mother and rebellious sister, especially when his sister moves out as soon as she turns 18. She leaves him her record collection, introducing him to a passion for rock music that sets up his journey for the rest of the film.

Filmed in Los Angeles and on location in San Diego, where the Millers live.

The film was nominated for 4 Academy Awards and won the Golden Globe for Best Picture (Musical or Comedy).

The fictional band Stillwater's songs were written by Peter Frampton (who also had a small part in the film), Cameron Crowe, and Crowe's wife Nancy Wilson of the rock band Heart.

Though William is fictional (loosely based on Cameron Crowe), many of the people he encounters on his journey are real, including Lester Bangs and Rolling Stone editor Ben Fong-Torres

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"The message is as stillwater clear as it is irresistibly romantic. By virtue of its transcendent graces, music pulls us above the din of our own pettiness."

-- Jeff Pevere | Toronto Star (Full Review)

"A winner because Crowe dares to wear his heart on his sleeve. For this movie at least, he's with the band."

-- Peter Travers | Rolling Stone (Full Review)

"Hollywood filmmaking at its best, brimming over with feeling, texture, spirit, and several kinds of keenness that transmute experience into big pop myth."

-- Jay Carr | Boston Globe (Full Review)

"Crowe is so good on mood and milieu that when Elton John's bubblegum ballad 'Tiny Dancer' swells on the soundtrack, in this context it sounds like a hymn."

-- Carrie Rickey | Philadelphia Inquirer (Full Review)