almost famous

i watched almost famous today and i absolutely love it. it's definitely one for the rock n roll fan.

it follows a music journalist hopeful as he travels across the USA with Stillwater on their almost famous tour '73, tracking the ups, downs and issues of a band on the verge of making it big. apart from sex and drugs, bands in the 70s had to struggle with conflicting egos, financial lures and exploitation by record and management companies.

there're plenty of great quotes too.
"rock and roll is a lifestyle and a way of thinking. it's not about money and popularity, although some money would be nice. it's a voice that says, 'here i am, and fuck you if you can't understand me.'

rock and roll can save the world, all of us together. and the chicks are great.

but what it all comes down to is that thing, the indefinable thing, when people catch something from your music. what i'm talking about is the buzz. and the chicks, the whatever, is the offshoot of the buzz. like when you say you like fever dog, that's the fucking buzz!"

some groupie (or 'band aids' as they call themselves) mantra:
"never take it seriously. if you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. if you never get hurt, you always have fun. and if you ever get lonely, you just go to the record store and visit your friends." rachel, are you listening?

"you gotta take what you can, when you can, while you can, and you gotta do it now. i didn't invent the rainy day, man. i just got the best umbrella." the professional manager tempts the band.

given the chance, i would definitely get back to the hip 70s. check out the stewardesses' uniforms. groovy, baby!

well i've also learnt, from this film, that the essence of rock n roll is not the money, chicks or cool-factor, but the love of the music itself. so it's fair to say musicians hardly get rich.

this has gotta be the best rock n roll film i've ever watched. a true reflection of gritty life on the road, it's simply brilliant. long live rock n roll!