Almost Famous (2000)

Looking backwards, I always hoped that I made some kind of impact on my younger brother. I hoped that I taught him about life, about having an open heart, that dreams and hopes are important, and that music will save your life. I watch this scene and I see a similar dynamic, the age difference between brother and sister, growing up with a single mom, and the leaving home with a boy bit, too. I remember it was so hard saying goodbye to my brother. I do wish I had left him a crate full of music, but I took all of it with me, the thought of leaving without music was unthinkable. I am pretty sure I would never have had the gumption to go without it.

I love this scene for what it sets up for all of the characters, especially William, and how it defines the significance of music in his life. I also love that it features my all-time favorite Simon and Garfunkel song, one that I remember hearing for the first time as a young girl, a song that I loved as a child, and was re-introduced/reminded of when I first saw this movie.

The first time I saw Almost Famous I was on an airplane coming back from Miami. It was the middle of the night and the plane was half-full so I was able to lie across three seats and watch. I had thought I would sleep on the plane ride home, but the movie, it pulled me in. I fell in love with it near instantly, and have watched it countless times since.

A few years after that first viewing my younger brother gave me the director’s cut of the movie for Christmas.

America :: Simon and Garfunkel