Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical film about fifteen-year-old William Miller who goes on tour with an up-and-coming band in 1973 to write an article for Rolling Stone magazine is not only a journey for William but for the audience as well. From band-aids like the Penny Lane, Stillwater's star guitarist Russell Hammond, and his reluctant mentor Lester Bangs, William learns not only about the others, but himself as well.
It may not be 1973 and the characters might be fictional, but that doesn't mean we can't all take some lessons away from the story of "Almost Famous".
1. "It's all happening."
Miss Penny Lane never actually explains the meaning behind the phrase, but in a way, that's the beauty of it.
2. "One day, you'll be cool."
*waits for that day to come*
3. "You'll meet them all again on their long journey to the middle."
Remind yourself that most of the people that ever bullied or made fun of you have probably already peaked. William was made fun of and he became a rock journalist for THE Rolling Stone Magazine... so who really won?
4. "I always tell the girls never take it seriously..."
"...if you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. If you never get hurt, you'll always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends."
5. "Isn't it funny? The truth just sounds different."
6. "[Rock 'n' Roll] is a voice that says 'Here I am! And f*** you if you can't understand me!'"
You don't have to be rock 'n' roll to adopt a carefree attitude, though.
7. "The only currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
Some of life's most pure moments happen when we aren't trying to be "cool."
8. "I am a Golden God!"
Sometimes, you just have to remind yourself that you kick ass... but maybe leave out the hallucinogenics.
9. "You are home."
a simple reminder that home is where you are allowed to be yourself. Home is where you are free. Home is where you are loved.
10. "From here on out, I am only interested in what is real. Real people, real feelings, that’s it, that’s all I’m interested in."
It's easy to get distracted by what's not real- photoshopped images, facades, etc. Take hold of what's real and what's raw, because that is what we stay alive for.
11. "You look awful, but it's great- you're living your life."
Life isn't always pretty and neither are we and that's okay.
12. "Let's say all the things we never said."
Don't be like Russell. Don't neglect to tell the people that matter to you how you feel. Tell your friends and family that you love them. Tell them that they're valuable. Tell them that you don't want to live your life without them by your side.
13. "Maybe we don't see ourselves the way we really are."
A recurring theme in the film is introspection. Each of the characters has a chance to evaluate who they are at their core, separate from how they want others to perceive them. Penny, Russell, and the others have cultivated their personas so carefully that they forgot who they were until William arrived and served as their mirror. It's important to look at yourself- really look- and see if the person you are is the person you want to be.
And finally, in honor of Ms. Elaine Miller, William's overprotective yet loving mother...
14. "Don't take drugs."
"We hope you all enjoyed yourselves, and we'll see you all in 1974."
