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Book Review: Admit One: A Journey Into Film
Admit One: A Journey Into Film by Emmett James
Publisher: Wheatmark (January 15, 2008 )
Hardcover: 220 pages
ISBN-10: 1587369141
ISBN-13: 978-1587369148
SheIsTooFondOfBooks Rating: 3 1/2 stars
 Emmet James spent his childhood in a small town near London, creating mischief and pulling pranks while he fantasized about becoming a Hollywood actor. In the introduction to his memoir Admit One: A Journey into Film, he explains that the “environment, mood, personal history and circumstances in which a person sees a film changes that film in a necessary, unique and exciting way. It creates a whole new story – a living, breathing film. The film of one’s life.”
Thus, James shows us the film of his life, illustrating various events from childhood until the present, using a specific film as metaphor in each chapter. Reminiscing about Star Wars Episode IV leads to a story about the must-have movie tie-in toy of the Christmas season, and how James responded to the department store Santa who disappointed him; he discovers that his mother shows an uncanny resemblance to Margaret Hamilton’s wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz; a viewing of ET leads James to rig up his bike to more efficiently transport aliens. As James grows older, the connections become even more intriguing – after a particular distasteful brush with juvenile delinquency, his parents move the family to the country, to a haunted house straight out of The Amityville Horror. The tales continue as James finally comes to America to pursue his acting dream.
Admit One is a quick enjoyable read, within a unique framework. Aside from a bit of unnecessary crass language and an oddly angry letter addressed to Steven Seagal, I found it pleasantly entertaining. James neatly connects the various films to his personal narrative without stretching the relationship. The writing is witty and colorful, including many humorous anecdotes and descriptions. I could imagine a narrator doing a voice-over in a 1930s gangster movie as I read “the only things on the girls were the eyes of every man around them.”
It is a good selection for a reading group during the summer months when seeking a “lighter” book. Aside from James’ personal story, it leads the way to discussion about our personal connections with movies, and the comparison of our childhood dreams to the reality of our adult lives.
James concludes with another truth, illustrated within the pages of his book, “film holds the power to alter a person’s thinking, juxtaposing the huge world and one’s small place in it.” It seems this talented actor and writer has found his place in the world.
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Emmet James spent his childhood in a small town near London, creating mischief and pulling pranks while he fantasized about becoming a Hollywood actor. In the introduction to his memoir Admit One: A Journey into Film, he explains that the “environment, mood, personal history and circumstances in which a person sees a film changes that film in a necessary, unique and exciting way. It creates a whole new story – a living, breathing film. The film of one’s life.” 
Great review!
You should post it on Amazon.com I find great recommendations such as yours find there biggest audience there. Keep up the good work
Sarah
Yes, your review is very much like mine! Thanks for the nice comment on my blog. I really didn’t know what to think of his book at first, but it slowly grew on me!