Against his mother's wishes, William agrees to go on the road with the band. Before the tour is done, William will wind up with a lifetime of experience. Crowe's film is much more than a road trip. It's about people who make a living on the road. The film is character driven, and contains some of the most honest, refreshing dialogue I have heard in a film in a very long time.
Characters say and do things that feel real.
The heart of the film is young Patrick Fugit, making his debut as William. Crowe couldn't have picked a better alter ego. Fugit is marvelous as the eager but essentially naive William. We see the film through his eyes, and there's an innocence there that makes his awakening even more believable. Fugit hits every mark with undying passion and conviction.