Review

On the heels of his enormously successful Jerry Maguire, writer-director Crowe turns to a page of his own youth with this warm and winning comic portrait of coming-of-age amid rock's golden age. Crowe's alter ego is William Miller (engagingly played by Fugit), a 15-year-old aspiring writer who -- sight unseen -- lands a freelance writing assignment with Rolling Stone to accompany the fictitious group Stillwater on tour (Crowe actually traveled with Led Zeppelin). This smalltown boy gets a big-time lesson in the ways of the world when he meets and befriends a fractured family unit of inner and outer circle members, including the sweet-natured Penny Lane (Hudson), a "band-aid" who's in love with the band's lead guitarist. Crowe has captured the cadence and minutiae of the early 1970s with remarkable precision; this is a special place in time for the director, and he leaves little doubt as to its appeal. The ensemble assembled is first-rate: Crudup is a picture-perfect incarnation of an arrogant but likable rocker; Hudson is nothing short of smashing as Penny, with whom William experiences his first crush; and possibly best of all is the unflinching McDormand as William's over-protective mother. What a time to come of age, and what a splendid reminiscence this is -- hail, hail rock 'n' roll.