--- title: "Almost Famous: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/almost-famous/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/almost-famous" critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Almost Famous (2000): what the critics said Critics' score 62 from 8 reviews: 4 positive, 1 mixed, 3 negative. The reviews lean favourable, though affection for Almost Famous is far from unanimous. Praise centres on the warmth of Crowe’s coming-of-age story, its feel for music and fandom, and an engaging ensemble that makes the backstage encounters persuasive. Supporters find humour and emotional generosity in its nostalgia, valuing the personal observations and fondness for the characters more than any promise of rock excess. The split is wide, and the film’s sweetness is the chief dividing point: admirers find it touching, while detractors see sentimentality that avoids difficult consequences. Reservations also concern loose storytelling, mild drama and an uncertain balance between nostalgia and satire. The Guardian argues that the film drains rock of danger, while making an exception for Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Lester Bangs. Sight and Sound likewise praises the journalism and Bangs material, but finds the treatment of the scene’s sex and drugs too coy. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 4/4. 15 September 2000. The film is a lovely, funny and touching coming-of-age story about a teenage rock journalist on tour with a band. It captures the era's idealism and commerce with gratitude and hope. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/almost-famous-2000) ## Time Out — NB Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2012. Crowe's quasi-autobiographical story is a sweet-minded, picaresque yarn that diffuses moral questions into harmony while offering stacked attractions and memorable performances. The critic singles out the engaging cast and overall charm as its main strengths. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/almost-famous) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2000. The film is a sweetly amiable memoir of a boy's coming of age with rock 'n' roll that is more gentle and modestly insightful than exhilarating. It is eager to please and does so through its credible personal observations and affection for its characters. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/almost-famous-3-1200464378/) ## The New Yorker — David Denby Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 11 September 2000. The quasi-autobiographical film is likable with easy affection for its characters and scene but is awfully mild and amorphous. It is underdramatized and irresolute, caught between nostalgia and satire. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2000/09/18/growing-up-3) ## Sight and Sound — John Wrathall Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2001. The film captures the music and fandom well but is overly sweet and nostalgic, shying away from the sex, drugs and honesty of the rock scene. The critic singles out the portrayal of rock journalism and the mentor figure Lester Bangs for praise amid broader complaints about coyness and sentimentality. [Read the review](http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/review/2200) ## Slant Magazine — Ed Gonzalez Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 2 May 2001. The critic finds the film a self-absorbed vehicle for baby-boomer nostalgia that prioritizes cozy reminiscence over substance. He singles out the overly blissful tone and avoidance of real dramatic consequences for complaint. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/almost-famous/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 9 February 2001. The critic finds the film a bafflingly heavy-handed coming-of-age nostalgia-fest that pulls the teeth from rock music and turns it into a heart-warming morality tale about family values. It lacks the danger, excitement and insight of Spinal Tap, though Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance as Lester Bangs stands out. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/feb/09/1) ## Empire — David Hepworth 1 January 2000. The critic praises the film as a convincing, good-hearted account of rock 'n' roll backstage life based on Crowe's experiences. They single out the perfect details captured, including the music and ensemble performances. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/almost-famous-review/) ## The New York Times — A. O. Scott Rating Critic's Pick. 13 September 2000. Crowe devotes the movie to his love of rock 'n' roll and opens up his own sweet, forgiving soul. It teems with high-spirited life despite being shaggier than his previous work. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/13/movies/film-review-with-sympathy-for-the-devil-a-rock-writer-finds-his-way.html) ## Eye for Film — Scott Macdonald Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 October 2006. The critic calls it the best film of 2000 and an immaculate time capsule of rock music, youth and positive dreams. He singles out the infectious period detail and the central performances, especially Patrick Fugit's earnest William and Kate Hudson's luminous Penny Lane. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/almost-famous-film-review-by-scott-macdonald) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/almost-famous.md