MOVIE CLUB: 8 MILE
From: Sam Hallgren
To: Adam Kempenaar; Eric Baker
Subject: Sam's Big Fat Weekend

When it comes right down to it, I don't think we disagree very much about this film. Eminem's performance worked for you; it didn't work for me. And because he's the central character, that became a very big problem for me. But I respect the film. I admire the way Hanson and Silver kept the movie from following a typical Hollywood arc, and I liked all of the other performances in the film. All of these things I think we agree on. "8 Mile" has entered my movies of the year list at #13, just behind "Changing Lanes" and "Minority Report" and just ahead of "Spider-Man" and "Panic Room." I mentioned in an email to you that I finally saw "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." If expectations can seriously impact a critic's objectivity, surely the venue and context of the viewing can have an impact as well. I saw "Fat Wedding" in bed with my girlfriend, in a four-star hotel room in the Chicago Loop (it was our two year dating "anniversary"). All films should be seen in such a forgiving environment. I thought the film was cute. I found the lead, Nia Vardalos, a little stagey (like she hadn't quite shed the character she created for the stage), but still charming. And I liked John Corbett. You mentioned in your review (9/3) that he was a little too perfect, that there was just no flaw to his character. I agree. But I liked the way he played it. He seemed to be subtlely commenting on his character's perfection, without losing any sincerity. Basically, he stayed out of the movie's way, which was his job. And it looked like he was enjoying himself. Andrea Martin as Aunt Voulna was hilarious, and made even her most schticky lines ("You're a vegetarian? I'll make lamb.") work. Martin, and the actors who played Vardalos' parents, were particularly good about playing the reality of the situation, even as the rest of the movie (including Vardalos) not infrequently moved into the realm of sketch comedy. I agree with you that it's not so surprising that the film has resonated with audiences, but it is certainly an inexplicable wonder that it has made so much money --nearly $200 million. I have heard critics bemoan the success of the film for fear of how Hollywood will respond to it. Maybe I'm missing something, but has Hollywood ever needed an excuse to make bad movies?