Almost Famous

Written and directed by Cameron Crowe, Almost Famous is the story of a teenage rock journalist who gets a chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine to cover an up-and-coming rock band on tour.  The film is based largely on Crowe’s experience as a rock journalist in the 1970s as it also explores the music scene of the time.  Starring Patrick Fugit, Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, Anna Paquin, Zooey Deschanel, Noah Taylor, Jimmy Fallon, Fairuza Balk, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Lester Bangs.  Almost Famous is an enriching yet outstanding film from Cameron Crowe.

William Miller (Patrick Fugit) is a 16-year old aspiring rock journalist, who lives with his college professor mother Elaine (Frances McDormand), as his fascination with rock music has caught the attention of notorious music critic Lester Bangs.  Bangs gives William an assignment to do a concert review for Black Sabbath as William tries to get backstage where meets a few young ladies who refer to themselves as Band-Aids led by the exotic Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) and a band called Stillwater who let him go backstage.  Intrigued by the band including its guitarist Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup), William later joins Penny to meet them at Continental Hyatt House as her companion in order to see Russell.  After getting a call from Rolling Stone editor Ben Fong-Torres (Terry Chen), William gets a chance to go on the road to cover Stillwater.

Though his mother isn’t keen on the idea, she lets William go on the road as he joins Stillwater and the Band-Aids on tour.  William notices the band trying to make it despite some set-backs and tension between Russell and vocalist Jeff Bebe (Jason Lee) who is paranoid about having William around.  With William’s period on the road being much longer than he had anticipated, he gets a call from Fong-Torres about extending the piece into a cover story.  When Stillwater’s record label brings in Dennis Hope (Jimmy Fallon) to co-manage the band with Dick Roswell (Noah Taylor), Dick and Russell decide to sell the Band-Aids to the band Humble Pie that leaves Penny devastated.

After arriving to New York City, William tells the band about their chance to be on the cover of Rolling Stone as he becomes concerned about Penny who also comes to the city.  After some turbulent moments, William gets some advice from Bangs about what to write as he would reveal everything he had saw about the band he‘s adored for so long.

The film is a semi-autobiographical story of Cameron Crowe’s life as a teenage rock journalist where he covered the music scene of the 1970s during his time with Rolling Stone magazine.  There, he allows the character of William Miller to go through a lot of the things Crowe had experienced such as groupies, rock n’ roll excess, tension, and all of things that went on during a crazy era in rock n’ roll.  Meanwhile, the young William Miller would meet a few people that would intrigue such as an exotic groupie named Penny Lane and a brilliant guitarist whose talents starts to overshadow the rest of his band mates.

Crowe’s screenplay starts off with a prologue of how a young William (Michael Angarano) was introduced to the world of rock n’ roll by his older sister Anita (Zooey Deschanel) who despises her mother’s New Age ideas and flees to become a stewardess.  It then leads into this main narrative of William trying to become a rock journalist at the age of 16 though his mother hopes that he becomes a lawyer.  His love of rock would get him to meet the notorious Lester Bangs who would offer him advice about what not to do in the world of rock journalism such as be friends with the rock star.

During William’s journey, he would unfortunately become friends with Stillwater though the band is wary of him because he represents the enemy they don’t want to play for.  Yet, William is the one who could make them really famous as they’re a band on the rise only to deal with all sorts of tension that is sparked by a t-shirt at one point.  All of this is told from this young man’s perspective who is watching a band he loves just trying to get everything together as he’s intrigued by their guitarist who is aware of the role he’s playing as well as the fact that he’s beyond them musically.

Then there’s Penny Lane, this groupie who is in love with Russell Hammond but also someone who really loves the music.  With the group of girls she’s a part of, she’s in it to have a good time and enjoy the music.  Unfortunately, she knows that Russell is married and a decision that Russell would make in the film’s second half would have a great impact on her forcing William to come to her aid.  It would be a moment where William realizes what he has to do not just as a fan but also as a journalist as he’s set to write a piece that would legitimize him as a true rock journalist.

Crowe’s direction is quite straightforward in terms of compositions but the way he recreates the late 1960s and early 1970s is still magical for the air of nostalgia and authenticity that is presented.  Notably as the film features a lot of references to rock lore such as the Continental Hyatt which was famously known as the Riot House.  Crowe always know how to frame his actors and capture the excitement of what it’s like to be at a rock concert or be in the middle of a discussion as he’s shooting a lot of from William’s perspective.  Notably as Crowe creates shots to reveals William’s on-going struggle to get a story and interview Russell.

One of the key aspects of Crowe’s direction is the way he balances humor and drama where he adds a lot of subtlety to the former.  Notably as he plays to the misadventures that goes on when a band is on the road such as a comical moment when the bus decides to leave Jeff behind.  Since this is a film that is about music in some ways, Crowe also knows how to use music to elevate a scene such as the famous Tiny Dancer sequence where the band sing Elton John’s song following a very crazy moment that had Russell partying with people while tripping on drugs.  It’s one of Crowe’s great moments as the overall work he does with the film is outstanding as he creates what is a truly engrossing coming-of-age tale about a teen and his love for rock n’ roll.

Cinematographer John Toll does brilliant work with the film‘s lush and colorful cinematography to capture the beauty of the various locations inside along with more layered coloring for the interiors as Toll‘s work is a technical highlight.  Editors Joe Husting and Saar Klein do fantastic work with the editing to play out the energy of the concert performances as well as other montages such as the band partying with the Band-Aids.  Art directors Clay A. Griffin, Clayton Hartley, and Virginia L. Randolph, along with set decorator Robert Greenfield, do excellent work in re-creating the look of William‘s home as well as other props to create the feel of the early 1970s.

Costume designer Betsy Heimman does wonderful work with the costumes such as the bellbottoms and clothes the men wear to more lavish clothing the Band-Aids wear.  Sound editor Michael D. Wilhoit does superb work with the sound to capture the atmosphere of the live concerts as well as the intimacy that goes in the bus and backstage meetings.  The film’s score by Nancy Wilson is terrific for its low-key, folk-driven sound to maintain a sense of ambience for some of the film‘s quieter moments. 

Music supervisor Danny Bramson creates an incredible soundtrack that features an array of different music from the late 60s and early 70s from acts like Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, Black Sabbath, the Raspberries, Simon & Garfunkel, Yes, the Beach Boys, Elton John, Cat Stevens, David Bowie, and many others.  The original music for the band Stillwater is provided by Nancy Wilson and Peter Frampton, with contributions from Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, as it is true rock n‘ roll at its finest.

The casting by Gail Levin is phenomenal for the ensemble that is created as it features some memorable small roles from Bijou Phillips as Band-Aid Estrella Star, Rainn Wilson as Rolling Stone co-editor David Felton, Liz Stauber as Russell’s wife Leslie, Jay Baruchel as an obsessed Zeppelin fan, Peter Frampton as Humble Pie’s road manager Reg, Terry Chen as Rolling Stone editor Ben Fong-Torres, Anna Paquin as Band-Aid Polexia Aprhodisia, Fairuza Balk as Band-Aid Sapphire, Mark Kozelek as Stillwater bassist Larry Fellows, and John Fedevich as Stillwater’s quiet drummer Ed Vallencourt.  Other notable supporting roles including Michael Angarano as the young William, Zooey Deschanel as William’s older sister Anita, Jimmy Fallon as the band’s more professional manager Dennis Hope, and Noah Taylor as the Stillwater’s more raucous manager Dick Roswell.

Jason Lee is excellent as Stillwater vocalist Jeff Bebe who tries to deal with the growing attention towards Russell as well as the presence of William.  Philip Seymour Hoffman is brilliant as legendary music critic Lester Bangs who guides William on what to do when going on tour and how to be a true rock journalist.  Kate Hudson is great as the exotic Penny Lane who is so full of life as Hudson brings a lot of energy and charisma to a very eccentric yet loveable character.  Billy Crudup is wonderful as the very talented Russell Hammond who tries to deal with the fact that he’s the most mature member of Stillwater as he finds someone like William whom he can talk to. 

Frances McDormand is superb as Williams’ mother Elaine who worries about her son possibly doing drugs while hoping that he becomes responsible.  Finally, there’s Patrick Fugit in a remarkable performance as William Miller as this young rock fan who goes on the ride of his life as he becomes friends with the rock stars and hang out with groupies as it’s a real breakthrough for Fugit.

Almost Famous is an outstanding film from Cameron Crowe.  Featuring a fantastic soundtrack and a top-notch ensemble cast, it’s definitely a film that is very lively and captures the essence of rock n’ roll.  Not only is it one of the best films about music and a place in time but also a very compelling coming-of-age film told from a young fan who loves music.  In the end, Almost Famous is an extraordinary film from Cameron Crowe.

Cameron Crowe Films:  (Say Anything…) - (Singles) - (Jerry Maguire) - (Vanilla Sky) - (Elizabethtown) - The Union - Pearl Jam 20 - We Bought a Zoo - Aloha

© thevoid99 2012

The Ballad of Jack & Rose

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com 6/25/06 w/ Additional Edits & Revisions.

After the success of her 2002 independent masterpiece Personal Velocity, Rebecca Miller lived up to her talents as not just a director but as a writer as she is the daughter of the legendary playwright Arthur Miller. While taking a break with her real-life husband and actor Daniel Day-Lewis and their children, Miller was asked to help write the screenplay for the play Proof for director John Madden. That same time, Miller was working on a new original script which was then titled The Rose & the Snake about a reclusive father and his daughter whose isolated lifestyle changes as he finds himself dying and inviting a new girlfriend which changes their relationship. Miller then chose to re-title the film in tune with her own plot entitled The Ballad of Jack & Rose.

Written and directed by Miller, The Ballad of Jack & Rose is about a young woman's relative world of isolation is changed when she's exposed to the world outside of the island she lives with her father. With her own father dying and seeking companionship, the relationship of the father and daughter disintegrates as their own home is being threatened by progress. Starring Miller's husband Daniel Miller and young actress Camilla Belle in their respective title roles along with Catherine Keener, Paul Dano, Ryan McDonald, Susanna Thompson, Beau Bridges, Jason Lee, and Jena Malone. The Ballad of Jack & Rose is a poignant, coming-of-age story from Rebecca Miller.

Rose (Camilla Belle) is a 16-year old child who lives in an island with her hippie father Jack (Daniel Day-Lewis) as they live in complete isolation from the world. It's an ideal world for the young Rose and her father until they're faced by the destruction of nearby wetlands for a housing development project led by a contractor named Marty (Beau Bridges). The timing is worse as Jack is falling ill from heart disease as Rose couldn't bear a life without her father as Jack sails to the mainland to meet with his former girlfriend Kathleen (Catherine Keener). Kathleen agrees to move with him as she takes her two teenage sons in Thaddius (Paul Dano) and Rodney (Ryan McDonald) with her despite Rose's reluctance.

While Rose enjoys the company of Rodney, Thaddius wanders around to find adventure as Rose is uncomfortable about her father's relationship with Kathleen. After asking Rodney to cut her hair, she tries to deal with the new people at her home while a florist in Gray (Jason Lee) visits to tell Jack about what Marty is trying to do. When a friend of Rodney in Red Berry (Jena Malone) arrives to visit, Rose's interest with sex starts to increase as she saw Red and Thaddius making out. Later on, Rose asks Thaddius to sleep with her in order to get her father's attention for the changes that is happening. Jack learns what happen as he wants Thaddius out as Rose holds an old hippie party with Thaddius, Rodney, and Red that unravels with Jack's anger. Rose leaves as Jack is alone dealing with Kathleen as he realizes that his new experiment as failed. After finding Rose, Jack decides to meet with Marty where Jack would make a drastic decision that would ultimately change Rose's young life.

While the film isn't perfect due to some of the 1960s hippie ideology and how it clashes against 1980s capitalism. Rebecca Miller does create a compelling, emotional coming-of-age story about a young girl being introduced to a new world that is foreign to her while dealing with the decay of her own upbringing. While the story does seem somewhat inspired by her own relationship with her own father and playwright Arthur Miller, who died shortly after the film's premiere at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. It's also a story about a relationship between father and daughter that gets a little dangerous and nearly leans the world of incest in the way Rose cares for Jack. Particularly in the way Kathleen sees their relationship and how Rose reacts to her since Kathleen is afraid of Rose's fear of the world outside of her commune.

Miller’s structure really brings out a simple idea of revealing the life of Jack and Rose in the first act and the arrival of Kathleen and her sons in the second, and its aftermath in the third. Miller's work as a storyteller is also done very well as a director since she did nearly the entire film on location in Prince Edwards Island in Canada. Miller chooses to observe the development of not just the film's major characters but the surroundings they're in. While the film does lose some insight onto the political aspect of the film, it doesn't stray away from its main story as Miller succeeds in bringing a wonderful transcending, imaginative film.

Helping Miller in her vision is her longtime collaborator in cinematographer Ellen Kuras. Kuras' photography is filled with dreamy textures of exterior colors and interior settings filled with intimate lighting on some sequences. One scene in the party owes to the psychedelic world with images of 8mm film stock that shows the contrasting world of the 60s/70s and the 80s. Kuras' photography is truly a marvel as brings a wonderful visual scope to Miller's worldly setting. Production designer Mark Ricker does a wonderful job in creating the contrast of the intimate, worldly area of Jack and Rose in contrast to the world outside of their commune which is more mechanical and glossy. Costume designer Jennifer Von Mayrhauser also does great job in creating the clothing for the film, notably the working class style of Catherine Keener's Kathleen and the more carefree world of Camilla Belle's Rose.

Editor Sabine Hoffman does some wonderful cutting in giving the film a nice, leisurely pace while doing some fine cutting to convey the surroundings of the characters. Composer Michael Rohatyn brings a style of folk and piano style music for its score that also includes instrumental cuts of classical music and jazz guitar of Leo Kotte. Most of the film's soundtrack includes some great music with tracks from Bob Dylan, John Mayall, a lot of 60s and 70s music, and two variation of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' classic song I Put A Spell On You by Creedence Clearwater Revival and Nina Simone. Both of them are amazing to hear.

The film's casting is wonderfully inspiring since many of the actors are there to tell a story and play interesting characters. Susanna Thompson is good in her small role as Marty's wife Miriam who welcomes Jack and Rose in a crucial final scene. Noted indie actors Jason Lee and Jena Malone also create small, memorable performances in their respective role as the calm, sensitive Gray and the energetic, wild Red Berry. Ryan McDonald is excellent as the more sensitive, mature Rodney while Paul Dano brings more comedic angst to his role as the wandering Thaddius. Beau Bridges is great in a complex role as Marty, a man who might seem like a greedy businessman but is someone who can't help but be a part of progress as he plays his role in a very sensitive, restrained approach. The best supporting performance easily is Catherine Keener as Kathleen who adores Jack while understands Rose's reaction about her moving in. Keener brings a lot to the role as a woman who has a hard time raising her sons while dealing with the family problems of Jack and Rose as Keener gives a great performance.

Camilla Belle delivers a real breakthrough performance as Rose with her amazing beauty and range in the display of emotions. Belle brings a lot to the role of Rose as a young girl who doesn't understand much about the outside world while she develops from a young, idealized girl to a woman who is forced to realize that her father can't be here all the time. Belle also has great chemistry with the veteran Day-Lewis as the two are wonderful to watch. Daniel Day-Lewis is also great as Jack by giving a performance full of complexity in its physicality and range of emotions. Day-Lewis plays his role with such fraternal comfort that he is truly believable as a caring father who is filled with guilt and pain while trying to do what is right for Rose. It's a magnificent performance from an actor who has rarely given an adequate performance as he proves to be a great muse for his wife.

The Ballad of Jack & Rose is a phenomenal film from Rebecca Miller. With great work from her film crew, notably Ellen Kuras, and the cast, notably Daniel Day-Lewis, Camilla Belle, and Catherine Keener. Anyone into Miller's work will definitely enjoy this film despite a few flaws while anyone who loves Daniel Day-Lewis will see his brilliance as an actor. The film should also be noted for the talents of the young Camilla Belle who proves that she can act with an actor as brilliant as Daniel Day-Lewis. In the end, for a strong film about father/daughter relationship should check out The Ballad of Jack & Rose.

Rebecca Miller Films: (Angela) - Personal Velocity: Three Portraits - The Private Lives of Pippa Lee - Maggie's Plan - Arthur Miller: Writer

© thevoid99 2011

The Incredibles

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 10/18/05 w/ Extensive Revisions.

Superheroes is something everyone seems to love. Whether it's Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, or Wonder Woman. The idea of them fighting against evil for the sake of good is something everyone can root for. Still, if there was anything that comic book readers loved about them, it was the fact that each superhero can bring something like a flaw in which the character can be more relatable in terms of its humanity. That was something Spider-Man and its sequel director Sam Raimi along with Christopher Nolan of the recent film Batman Begins have found. Spider-Man and Peter Parker struggle with the every day life of their existence while Bruce Wayne struggles with the death of his parents and his fears that would lead him to become Batman. This was something animated film director Brad Bird seemed to love. One of the masterminds of such Pixar/Disney computer-animated hits as Toy Story/Toy Story 2, A Bug's Life, Monsters Inc., and 2003's Finding Nemo, Bird returned to his format in 2004 for his next project, The Incredibles.

Written and directed by Brad Bird, The Incredibles is about two former superheroes who are forced into retirement after a series of lawsuits who now live in a domestic lifestyle with their children, who also have superpowers. When the father is called for help, he comes out of retirement only to find himself captured as his wife and children come to save him and the world. Basing on ideas from The Fantastic Four comic as well as other superhero stories, Bird creates a wonderful family film filled with dazzling animation and human characters that audiences can relate to and enjoy watching. With the voices of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Pena, and Jason Lee. The Incredibles is a spectacular masterpiece from Brad Bird who makes an accessible, entertaining family film that satisfies its core audiences as well as superhero fanatics.

Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) prides in being a superhero with super-strength as he is about to marry the elastic-reaching Elastigirl (Holly Hunter).  What should've been a great time is shattered when Mr. Incredible is sued for injuring a man trying to kill himself.  In turn, a slew of lawsuits forced superheroes to go out of business.  Mr. Incredible returns to his original name Robert Parr as he becomes an unhappy insurance salesman who has to deal with an angry boss (Wallace Shawn).  While his wife Helen has settled into role of being a housewife with three kids, Robert isn't happy.  Even as their two older kids in Violet (Sarah Vowell) and Dash (Spencer Fox) each have their own powers while the baby Jack-Jack still hasn't attained any.  The only other superhero Robert and Helen talk to is Lucius Best/Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) who reluctantly does hero work with Robert at times.

With Robert having his own issues about his dour work-life, he meets a mysterious woman named Mirage (Elizabeth Pena) who asks him to stop a robot in a remote island for a secret mission.  Robert accepts the part as Mr. Incredible as it gives him some happiness as he turns to legendary costume designer Edna Mode (Brad Bird) to create a new costume.  When accepting a new mission from Mirage, he battles a new robot that is under the control of a man named Syndrome (Jason Lee) who is revealed to be a former fan of Mr. Incredible.  During his battle with Syndrome, Robert learns what happened to other former superheroes as he's eventually captured.  After learning what Robert had been doing, Helen meets Edna who has created new suits for Helen and the kids.  Helen reluctantly goes into a mission to save Robert as she learns that Violet and Dash hid in the plane as they're attacked by Syndrome's missiles.  

Though Helen and the kids were able to survive and make it to the island, Helen goes on a mission to save her husband while Dash, with his super-speed, and Violet, with her invisibility and to project force fields, fend off against Syndrome's forces.  After the whole family learns what Syndrome is up to with his robot, it's up to the Incredibles to save the day.

The formula of the superhero film is predictable but for a family feature, it's expected and it works. Bird's approach like the previous film versions of Batman and Spider-Man was to show superheroes with flaws and humanistic qualities. The film's story has a lot of ideas of dysfunctional families, boredom over the corporate world, and how pride can really overshadow what's really important. Aside from a lot of the dramatic textures of the film, it's got a lot of humor and action. Bird brings in some action that is in the level of action films but they’re used in a fun way. Bird's direction is filled with a lot of moments where the film is a lot of fun with characters that everyone can relate to.

It's in Bird's writing and directing that gives the film a feeling that the audience can relate to. A teenager who feels very insecure, a man who feels like a failure, a boy who wants to use his powers to be in some group, and a woman who is in denial by living in a role. Plus, you have a villain in the film who is very arrogant but is extremely funny as well as someone who knows how to push people and expose their weaknesses. It's smart writing that appeals to a mass audience while giving the characters some great development.

The film in its digital, computer animation is wonderfully done with every detail on the characters from their hair to their expression. Even with a nod to old school Disney two-dimensional animator Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas who both make cameos in the film. The film looks amazing from its animation style to the detail in the production from production designer Lou Romano and art director Ralph Eggleston along with the trio of cinematographers in Andrew Jiminez, Patrick Lin, and Janet Lucroy who all do an amazing job of the lighting. The editing of Stephen Schaffer works well and in style along with the sound design of Randy Thom. One great element of the film is Michael Giacchino that has a nice jazzy, upbeat score that has a nice theme that gives the film a nice feel and rhythm.

The choice for the voice casting is inspiring, notably Brad Bird in the role of Edna. Originally was given to Lily Tomlin, Tomlin felt Bird got the voice right by himself that he ended up voicing the character. Edna in every scene is a scene-stealer with her talk about why she hates capes and her love for superheroes. Wallace Shawn makes a great cameo as Robert Parr's boss along with Pixar regular John Ratzenberger and Dominique Louis as enemies of Mr. Incredible.  Elizabeth Pena is excellent as the sliver Mirage who coaxes Mr. Incredible to get into an experiment. Jason Lee gives the right voice and tone for the crazed, arrogant Syndrome with his desire to destroy the supers and be the only superhero with his gadgets.

Samuel L. Jackson is the epitome of cool as Frozone as he delivers one of the most hilarious lines in the film as he gives many superhero fans a real need for a cool, African-American superhero. Sarah Vowell brings the right tone to the insecure, angst-ridden Violet while Spencer Fox gives the right energy for Dash. Holly Hunter is perfect for Elastigirl with her fiery personality and maternal role. Craig T. Nelson is also perfect as the pride-driven and frustrated Mr. Incredible.

For fans of Disney/Pixar films and superhero films will definitely enjoy The Incredibles. Led by the creative mind of Brad Bird and his team, this film is certainly another classic film in the collection of previous Disney/Pixar collaborations. The film has enough action, drama, and comedy that will make anyone desire for a sequel to the film. For a family audience, this is one film to enjoy since it's about family and their dysfunctions and their ability to work together. For a film that has something for everyone, The Incredibles is the film to watch.

Pixar Films: Toy Story - A Bug's Life - Toy Story 2 - (Monsters Inc.) - (Finding Nemo) - Cars - Ratatouille - WALL-E - Up - Toy Story 3 - Cars 2 - Brave - Monsters University - Inside Out - The Good Dinosaur - (Finding Dory) - (Cars 3) - Coco - Incredibles 2 - Toy Story 4 - (Onward) - Soul (2020 film) - (Luca (2021 film)) - Turning Red - (Lightyear) - (Elemental (2023 film)) - Inside Out 2 - (Elio) – (Toy Story 5)

© thevoid99 2011