Cameron Crowe’s 2000 semi-autobiographical movie, about his early days as an underage rock journalist for Rolling Stone, is a well-crafted, completely delightful movie, with set-piece scenes that include proof of the infectious joy of rock ’n’ roll, set on a tour bus to an impromptu singalong to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” There are plenty of great performances leavened into this mix that worth savoring again and again, including Philip Seymour Hoffman’s prickly turn as rock critic Lester Bangs; Billy Crudup and Jason Lee as members of a feuding rock band; Anna Paquin, Fairuza Balk and especially Kate Hudson as groupies; Patrick Fugit as Crowe’s alter ego, William Miller; and Zooey Deschanel as William’s free-spirit older sister. But my oh my, watch what Frances McDormand does as William’s protective mother. Four years after starring in the movie Fargo, she takes a small supporting role and gives Almost Famous its crucial, central heart.