Admit One: My Life in Film by Emmett James

Title: ADMIT ONE: My Life in Film
Author: Emmett James
Publisher: Fizzypop Productions, LLC, February 2010
Source: Lisa Roe, Online Publicist 

If you’re looking for a memoir dishing Hollywood dirt this isn’t the book for you.  You’re probably the target audience if you’re a movie fan who recognizes how films have shaped your life.  As someone who views over a hundred films a year the description of the book appealed to me.  Here is the Product Description from Amazon: 

Set in Croydon, South London, in the 1980s, Admit One details how self-deprecating writer Emmett James escaped from the pains of adolescence by going to the cinema. Through wry wit and observation, the writer reflects, obsesses, and rages about film and its correlation to our pasts. Life soon imitates art, and the narrator finds that his true calling is in transcendence from one side of the screen to the other. He decides to leave England for the only place where he can realize his dream of becoming an actor–Hollywood. 

We follow the narrator on his numerous adventures: as he jumps from forgery to pornography to crashing the Academy Awards under the alias of a nominated writer. All the while, the films that inspired each tale contextualize this humorous collection of stories. The narrator ultimately provides a unique insight into the fascinating industry of film, eventually himself stumbling into the biggest box-office grossing film of all time. 

The memoir is a series of stories from James’ life until his movie role in Titanic.  Each chapter begins with a movie that was important to James during that time period or provides a clue to the reader about the chapter contents.  The beginning chapters made me recall movie going experiences with my own parents that I had forgotten.  

One standout story is about his quest to be cast in a superhero movie.  From the start the reader knows the outcome won’t be good – it’s one blunder after another.  It definitely one of those stories that seems devastating at the time (to all involved) but is now a great laugh.  

Other stories include trying to find work in Hollywood, his first movie role with lines, and experiences on the Titanic set. Some of the later stories take a while to find their way to the punch line. 

Odd as it may seem, it would have been interesting to read a few more stories featuring his tuxedo.  The tuxedo was one of the few possessions he brought with him to the United States and plays a role in more than one story.

About The Author 

Emmett James spent his childhood in Croydon, South London and finished his schooling in Cambridge, England. Studying acting at Strasberg Actors Studio in London he began working in theater, eventually moving to Los Angeles in the early nineties to pursue his acting career in film. For over a decade he has worked extensively as a professional actor, winning a prestigious ADA as well as appearing in Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, and Academy Award winning work. In addition to acting he has produced, taught, and directed film, stage and television productions in Hollywood. From a family of authors including J.B. Priestley, he continues to live and work in Hollywood. 

Emmett James has an author site on filedby which includes a book trailer and audio interviews.