Source: Columbia Pictures
I've always wanted to write a blog on this film. It's one of my ultimate favourites and I think it's a perfect film. The vibes that radiate from this film alone are immaculate and there is something so comforting about watching a depiction of the era of peace and love in the 70s; the hippy movement that spread through popular culture and music, and helped many to feel free and liberated.
As a fan of rock music from this period, it's so magical to see a film giving an intimate look into the highs and lows of leading a life that to many, is filled with endless parties and celebrations and travel. Whilst a large part of that lifestyle is depicted, we also get a glimpse at how this lifestyle can take its toll on personal relationships and those enveloped by this way of life. For those who haven't seen it, the film follows William a young 15-year-old boy who gets a job writing an article about a new and upcoming band called 'Stillwater.' He goes on tour with the band and is thrown into the crazy and wonderful world of the rock music lifestyle. There may be a few spoilers ahead too but it is a favourite film of mine so I felt I couldn't write about it completely whilst avoiding that. This is your warning.
Relationships are an integral and crucial part of this film, the same way that it plays such an important part in all our lives. Seeing this story unfold through the lense of William (played by Patrick Fugit) is somewhat similar to ours as we're being exposed to this chaotic and crazy world at the same time he is being introduced to it. Knowing that the film is semi-biographical to Cameron Crowe who directed the production highlights the care and effort taken to really reflect and draw upon true experiences he went through. It adds authenticity and a sense of raw energy to the truly emotional parts of the film.
One relationship that is particularly sweet, is the relationship William builds with Phillip Seymour Hoffman. The closer the pair get, the more it seems Williams leans on him as a father figure as Hoffman's character Lester mentors him through the crazy world he's been thrust into. The lack of father figure at home seems to be a factor that sets William on his path throughout the story as he looks for other men to fill this void for him - like the relationship he builds with Rusell too.
Source: Columbia Pictures
His relationship with Penny Lane is beautiful and is of a similar likeness to the relationship of Alana and Gary in Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Licorice Pizza.' In my opinion, Penny Lane is one of the best characters ever written and Kate Hudson's performance as the infamous 'Band Aid' is incredible. For those who haven't seen, I have attached my favourite scene of the film underneath this for those who want to watch where she describes her passion for the music and bands she follows on tour. In both cases of Penny Lane and Will, and Alana and Gary, you have a very free-spirited older woman finding her way in the world whilst building a close friendship and relationship with a younger more mature boy. Whilst Gary Valentine is much more confident as a character than William, the parallels are clearly present as both find themselves children in an adult environment and world. Yet like the pair in 'Licorice Pizza,' William and Penny Lane lean on each other for support through this friendship they form.
Source: Columbia Pictures
Frances McDormand is perfect as William's mother Elaine, and the constant phone calls break up the film into segments that track William's development as well as portray the increasing maternal panic she feels the longer he is away from home. Isolating each of these calls home highlights and contrasts how far he has come since the last call and the development still to come until the next phone call when they'll speak again. It's an interesting way Crowe is able to segment the film and track this development.
Source: Columbia Pictures
One of my favourite parts of the film is the plane scene. It is a masterclass in portraying how in one moment, the intricacies of a number of relationships can all be explored at the same time and is a piece of cinematic perfection in my opinion. In one moment, the central characters of the film are put under an extreme moment of tension and pressure to which they are able to unleash all their built-up emotions. The truth comes out for all and in this moment of confusion and panic, the band are drawn closer together than ever before as they all believe it is their last moment together.
Source: Columbia Pictures
Rusell and Penny's relationship is one with incredibly intimate layers. Both are extremely loud and larger-than-life characters, yet their intimate moments highlight their inner fragile and terrified selves. They run from the 'real world' to escape all the pain but at the root of it all, they learn that part of life is having to endure these pains and experiences and feel every emotion that comes with it. These boundaries are blurred and there is no 'real' or 'fantasy' world.
Source: Columbia Pictures
The traumatic scene of Penny Lane at the end of the film, is something so tragic as we truly see her facing the pain she has spent all these years running from. She finally comes face to face with her inner demons and the harsh truth that this 'fantasy world 'and security blanket she's built around her is all a facade and she needs to stop running. It brings her and William closer together and he is finally exposed to the true pain those living in this world may endure. It's not the glamour it first seemed.
Source: Columbia Pictures
In light of that, the twist at the end is perfect as Penny maintains her power. After all the times she has been walked on by Russell and others like him, her closure lies in keeping him away, as she quotes: she 'never was good at goodbyes.' In sending Russell to William's she brings the story to a conclusive end. One that satisfies all involved; Elaine, William and Rusell who finally gets to admit that he mistreated William. Even when William is asked to contact Penny, he knows he has had his goodbye with her and that's enough closure to him. There also seems to be the hint that there will potentially be a reunion one day as Penny Lane's free spirit always seems to find her way back to people.
Concluding with the interview between Russell and William is sweet and is a moment when Russell finally gives William what he waited the whole film for. THE INTERVIEW. They are able to share this personal moment together and in some way draws William's search for a father figure to a close. His relationship with Rusell seems solidified in this moment and that's enough closure for him to move forward.
With Penny Lane off to Morroco and William gaining the closure he needs, it seems everyone in the has learned what they needed to become closer. Ironically the largest lesson Elaine got to learn through it all was that in all the years of keeping William at home trying to help him grow and mature by preventing any corruption of his young mind and making him join school early - through all these efforts, what he really needed, was to leave home and experience life a bit.
I realise I have ranted quite extensively about this film but it is such a comfort film to me and I could write about it for hours. There is so much more I want to cover but thought as usual would add some extra stuff down below for anyone interested.
My other favorite scene from the film (arguably the most iconic)
* Offers discussion surrounding the bootleg cut of the film which I am now desperate to see in addition to discussions about the actual ending of the film.