SPOILER-FREE PLOT SUMMARY
When Eminem wrote the song “Stan” in 2000, it raised awareness on what a lot of celebrities go through. How fans know their music so well (for example) that they get an irrational sense of personal connection. Now, 25 years later, mental health has become embraced throughout the majority of American society and that realization gives a whole new meaning to the Eminem classic.
In this documentary, director Steven Leckart interviews a handful of passionate Eminem fans who clearly feel like they have a greater connection to Marshall Mathers than most. The vulnerability (or excitement) of these individuals is put on full display, ranging from borderline normal to borderline dangerous. So while the film does go through the different stages, pitfalls and successes of Eminem’s career, the documentary sets out to showcase how everyone handles fandom differently.
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
This is not only a peek inside Eminem’s career but a peek inside mental health.
It’s important to note up front that I’ve been listening to Eminem’s music since his first major label release, and I don’t just mean the radio singles. I purchased The Slim Shady LP after people were talking about how great it was in my ASL college course. So, when the Marshall Mathers LP dropped a year later, I bought that on day one. But, truly, I became a fan when The Eminem Show dropped in 2002. The whole album was great but “White America,” “Till I Collapse” and “When the Music Stops” were in my ears — and speakers — constantly for over a year. I still have them in my “Best of Hip Hop” Spotify playlist and they’re essential listens when they come on randomly.
This is important to note because the movie is told through an angle I already appreciate. Therefore, it’s entirely possible my score is skewed. If you’ve listened to the podcast for any length of time, you know that I do everything I can to take expectations and biases out of my takes. So, while I think I’m doing that, I’m just being honest that this is not a Shania Twain or a Destiny’s Child documentary where I come in as “blind” as one can be who’s familiar with pop culture over the past few decades.
If you boil it all the way down to it’s brass tacks, STANS is a brilliant, creative and compelling look inside human psychology when it comes to idolizing heroes, whatever that may mean to each person. All know Eminem’s songs from front to back but one met their spouse on an Eminem fan page, one travelled to the United States for the first time simply to visit Eminem’s childhood home and one is a transgender man and, when the opportunity came, changed their name to Marshall. The whole spectrum is on display and it’s captured beautifully.
That said, there’s an element of STANS that feels a little icky.
Exclusively streaming on Paramount+, there are multiple mentions of MTV throughout and, of course, MTV is a part of the Paramount Global family of companies. Luckily, Eminem’s star power rises above any kind of “sell out” notion but, when the self-serving is as blatant as it is here, any lesser artist would suffer.
STANS could easily be required viewing in university entertainment law and general psychology classes. Some audience members might even start reflecting on what kind of fan they are simply based on the vulnerability shown on screen. Any documentary that can trigger that kind of reaction is a winner.
And, with the backdrop of Eminem’s music? Paramount+ is worth the subscription.
JKG SCORE: 7.5
Untitled Film Project 