Almost Famous (2000)

Almost Famous (2000) is writer/director Cameron Crowe’s rock and roll love letter to both his past as well as to the music of the 1970s. The R rated dramedy centers around a fictionalized account of Crowe’s teen self, William Miller (Patrick Fugit), freelancing for Rolling Stone magazine as an underage reporter. After being mentored by the legendary scribe Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman), Miller leaves his family (Frances McDormand and Zooey Deschanel) to go on the road with Stillwater, a faux ’70s band featuring frontman Jeff Bebe (Jason Lee) and his musicians (Billy Crudup, Mark Kozelek, and John Fedevich). Yet they can only teach William so much. Far more educational are the groupies, including Sapphire (Fairuza Balk) who wanders around in a transparent blouse. The same can be said of Polexia Aphrodisia (Anna Paquin). When she’s not donning alluring attire and dreamy sleepwear, the sexy brunette is kissing blonde babe Estrella Starr (Bijou Phillips). If that’s not erotic enough, check out the priceless panties on Penny Lane (Kate Hudson). The character is based on socialite Pennie Lane Trumbull who kept famed rockers company during tours with The Flying Garter Girls. Per her portrayal, Ms. Hudson goes topless as she dances around in a hotel room. Now, that’s what we call room service! No wonder why the Hollywood Foreign Press gave Kate a Golden Globe for her pointed performance. Better yet, the ingénue also nabbed an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress — not to mention a standing ovation in Mr. Skin’s pants!