review by Lee Curtis Pro
Almost Famous 2000
Watched Jul 29, 2012
Lee Curtis’s review:
Despite its problems – it’s about twenty minutes too long and the band are Spinal Tap lite – Cameron Crowe provides a rarity for the coming-of-age subgenre; self-consciousness. Fully aware of what it is he’s creating; he embraces simplicity and sentimentality, instead of solely relying on a clichéd narrative as the driving force of his film.
Interesting view about it being 20 minutes too long... I thought it was too short and this was proved by the reinstated scenes in the directors cut.
I tell you what, it may have been the director's cut that I saw! I borrowed a DVD from a friend and didn't even consider checking if there were different versions.
Haha possibly. I've owned the 2 disc special for years and rarely ever watch the original. In fact I think the only time I've seen the original recently must be over a year ago on tv. For me it doesn't flow right with the missing scenes.
Maybe I slightly misjudged it on initial viewing. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it, but, for lack of a better phrase, it just didn't wow me. This is certainly a film I'd happily revisit.