Set in 1973, it chronicles the funny and often poignant coming-of-age of 15-year-old music fanatic William (Patrick Fugit). Having managed to land an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview the up-and-coming band Stillwater, fronted by lead guitarist Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup), and with the help of gorgeous "band aid" Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), William finds himself drawn into the band's inner circle, despite the objections of his over-protective mother (Frances McDormand). As he becomes less an observer and more a participant in the band's dynamics, William learns a life-changing lesson about the importance of family - the ones we inherit, and the ones we create.