Almost Famous Scene Analysis: “Don’t Go To New York”

One of my favorite scenes from what is probably my favorite movie- Almost Famous. Here, it’s a scene built by dramatic irony, misunderstanding, and a very upset teenage boy.

Scene Context:

Will and the band are about to fly to New York. Penny doesn’t know that she’s been sold off of the tour by Russell, her lover.

Scene Conflicts:

• Penny wants to go to New York and be with Russell.
• Will wants to stop her from going, but doesn’t want to reveal that she was sold off the tour.

Scene Outline:

1. Penny and Will are on a walk. Penny notes that Will is worried about her relationship with Russell.
2. She tells Will that she wishes Russell was more like Will. This aggravates him.
3. Penny notes Will’s frustration. Explains how she plans to come to New York with the band, despite not having been bought a plane ticket. Asks for Will’s help.
4. Not getting help from Will, Penny decides she’ll fly to New York on her own. Will warns her against it. Penny says that it’ll be fine, since Russell wants her there.
5. Will vehemently rebukes her. Tells her not to go to New York, and that she needs to stop lying to herself and living in a fantasy.
6. Penny calmly tells Will that he’s simply too sweets for the rock n’ roll lifestyle. Will affirms that he’s not sweet, but is dangerous to her and the band.
7. Penny, believing Will is still worried about her relationship with Russell, announces that she might be in love. Will reveals to her that she was sold off the tour by Russell for a case of beer.
8. Penny smiles, hides a tear, and asks Will what kind of beer it was.

Why It Works:

Dramatic Irony: Penny thinks Russell wants her in New York, but Will (and the audience) know how that’s not at all the case. This tragic set-up allows for Penny to be fatefully mis-motivated throughout the scene, and puts increasing pressure on Will to tell her the truth. As she continues to explain how she’ll get to New York, Will is forced closer and closer to revealing the hard truth to her.

Painful Misunderstanding: Penny believes that Will is anxious about whether she will continue being able to date Russell. This is far from the case, as his frustration actually lies in how Russell has used and manipulated her. This makes the scene especially interesting, and leads to Penny trying to calm Will by telling him the exact opposite of what he wants to hear, thus exacerbating his worry for her.

David vs Goliath: Though both characters are similar in age, they come from hugely different backgrounds. Will grew up sheltered and insecure, whereas Penny has spent the better part of her recent life touring besides rock bands. Will’s lack of experience is evident in various scenes throughout the film, but is especially clear here, in which he attempts to prove that he’s worthy of respect and should be feared. His small, unimposing stature proves that’s not the case, and thus creates a deeply unique moment in which an “uncool” teenager is shouting about how he can takedown a nationally-recognized rock band.

Character-Based Reaction: Penny’s reaction is what makes this scene especially heartbreaking. She was just told that the man she thought she loved sold her away for a pack of beer. She doesn’t pout. She’s quiet. She smiles. She wipes away a tear and nearly laughs when she asks Will what beer she was sold for. This reaction is a perfect encapsulation of who Penny Lane has been built throughout the film- someone willing to live in fantasy and distraction rather than confront reality.

Summary:

This emotionally-packed scene works so well primarily because of it’s use of tragic misunderstanding. By having Will (and the audience) know that Penny is destined to fail, her increasing want only increases the sense of dread in the scene. And then, when Will tells her the truth, her reaction truly fulfills the crushing nature of the scene.