Untitled (2000 Cameron Crowe & scr)

"Rock stars have kidnapped my son."

Now this two and a half hour film isn't a moment too long.

Also I thought Cameron did a lovely job of writing his mother, a forceful, unique and slightly crazy personality. Her talk to Russell when he gets her on the phone is one of many memorable scenes.

And the standout scene where he tells Penny that all her bullshit about the 'real world' is just covering up that she's surrounded by people who really don't care about her and that she's been sold for a crate of beer.

And the dedication to 'Joel Bernstein - your photographs inspired this movie'. A noted photographer of rock musicians, his gallery can be seen here. Includes this little number:

Cameron in uncool shirt, Neil Young on the right, 1974

But what's interesting is the viewpoint of Lester Bangs - 'rock music is all over'. It's 1973 and there's an argument that all the classic rock tracks had been written, and that two things happen - prog rock and huge stadium tours take over, the music business becomes run by money men who don't give a fuck about the music - personified in the movie by their new producer-to-be, played by Jimmy Fallon.

To understand how close it is to Cameron's own story it's helpful to read his memoir 'The Uncool'.