“This Is Jim Jones” Documentary Preview

Earlier in the week I had a chance to catch a preview of This Is Jim Jones (due May 12), a documentary about the life and times of the Dipset Capo. As a huge fan of the Dipset since S.D.E. first revealed signs of a burgeoning movement, I never really felt Jimmy as an artist or a personality. I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt like that. He could never rap for shite, and he didn’t have the off-kilter personality or freakish rhyming style that attracted me to the rest of the group. To put it bluntly, he just seemed like a bit of a thug.

Recently, my opinions have changed slightly, mostly in response to Cam going into a two-year hibernation and a new Jim Jones emerging to fill the void. He still sucks at rapping, but at least his clownery is enough to elicit some laughs. And in addition, part of me admires the audacity of putting on a stage production about his own life and releasing songs with hooks that sound like they were written by third graders.

Unfortunately, watching This Is Jim Jones just made me feel like an idiot for being sucked in by the master plan of Dame Dash, the man responsible for the Evolution of Jimmy. Having commissioned the documentary himself, Dame dominates the film from start to finish. He takes up as much airtime as Jimmy himself, to the point that the doc might as well be called This Is Dame Dash’s Idea. He literally unveils the (admittedly impressive) business plan that he composed for Jones, and much of the film involves footage of the two completing various aspects of the plan. Put out a Byrdgang album. “Check.” Get a beat from Rick Rubin. “Check.” Play album for Vibe editor-in-chief. “Check.”

And it foes on and on like this. Dame even has the gaul to end the film saying, “Put out This Is Jim Jones documentary—check,” thus making the viewer feel like he’s been had.

The problem with the movie is that it’s more of a promo than a documentary, with nary a dissenting voice to be heard the whole time. I mean, do we really need to hear that Jimmy is amazing from his annoying publicist? (Answer: no.) Dame casts himself as the Godfather to Jim’s Michael Corleone (though he admits he originally thought of him more as a Sonny), and he brings him around to film producers, fashion editors, and other entertainment heavyweights like he’s introducing them to his idiot-savant stepchild.

But let me digress lest I harp too much on the clear self-serving bias of this project. If you can get past the in-your-face myth-making, it’s actually pretty entertaining. Jim Jones is undeniably an impressive guy, having battled through gang violence, a father who abandoned him and subsequently died of AIDs, and a family racked by drug abuse. And even if you don’t think that personality and hustle should make you a successful artist (fair point), you can’t help but admire his ability to do things his way and say “fuck you” when anyone tells him no. The film does present a few moments of genuine introspection about the past, and despite being so weeded in all interviews that he can barely open his eyes, Jimmy almost becomes a sympathetic character at times (though not quite).

Another interesting part of the movie is the glimpse it offers into the early days of Dipset, which seem like they’d be fodder for a much better feature film than N.O.T.O.R.I.O.U.S. Rap history buffs will particularly enjoy the segment detailing the genesis of the Dipset versus Jay-Z beef, which dates back to Kanye giving a beat to Jay that he had originally promised Cam (it became the backing to “H to the Izzo”). The Dips responded by highjacking “Oh Boy” from Just Blaze. Apparently, Jay then went and put a feature on “Oh Boy” because it was blowing up, but Cam had the balls to say he didn’t need or want it. He even went so far as to have it completely erased. Gotta believe someone has it, though. (Where you at blogs!)

In addition, there are a number of laugh-out-loud moments scattered throughout film. Freekey Zeekey steals the show with his animated stories, Jim Jones makes tons of outlandish statements, and Dame and Jimmy have an amusing rapport at times (mostly, Dame clowns Jimmy for dressing like a fool, while Jimmy clowns Dame for not being as strong as he is). One particularly hilarious scene shows Dame taking Jim to a “fashion party” full of people who have no idea who he is. Watching a middle-aged white woman ask a confused Jim Jones where he finds “inspiration” for his music = pure comedy.

Here are a few other notable lines that made me chuckle:

I’m not really famous, but I guess all the famous people know me. - Jim Jones, making false statements

I’m working hard for these resources. I can’t have Jim wildin’ out on Anna Wintour. - Dame Dash, in reference to taking Jim Jones around to society parties

I’m mad strong, but he works out everyday. - Jim Jones tries to stunt on Dame

I’m running out of splash?! I’m a wishing well. Jim Jones at the video shoot for “Splash”

Shut up you down syndrome bitch. - Jim Jones let’s out his “ignorant” side

Jay is a bird. I’m picking on you this year. You a bird, Jay.And you dress terrible. - Jim Jones taunts Jay-Z