Simultaneously Horrifying and Fascinating: Hamlet 2 and “Rock Me, Sexy Jesus”

Over the weekend, a Facebook friend posted that one of his new favorite songs is “Rock Me, Sexy Jesus.” After reading that status update, I smiled and began singing the song in my mind:

Rock me, rock me, rock me, sexy Jesus
He died for our sins
You gotta believe us
Rock me, rock me, rock me, sexy Jesus
All night long.

But sadly, I’m guessing that my friend and I are perhaps the only people we know who understands this reference, which comes from an independent film called Hamlet 2 (Andrew Fleming, 2008). This is a shame because even with its many sight gags, questionable musical numbers (“Rock Me, Sexy Jesus,” “Raped in the Face”), and stereotypical characters (e.g., the closeted theatre student, the Hispanic gang leader who can really act), Hamlet 2 is worth a look. Here’s the trailer, or you can watch below.

Although Hamlet 2 was a late submission to the Sundance Film Festival in 2008, it sparked an “all-out bidding war” between Focus Features, Fox Searchlight, Weinstein Co., Lionsgate, Picturehouse, Miramax, Summit Entertainment, and Warner Independent Pictures. Apparently the deal, won by Focus Features for $10 million, was just shy of the record set by Little Miss Sunshine, which sold for $10.5 million in 2006 (Wall Street Journal).

One might think, then, with such positive reactions from Sundance audiences and the bidding competition that ensued after its screening, Hamlet 2 would have made a bigger splash theatrically. But it didn’t: budgeted at roughly $9 million, the film earned only $4.8 million domestically. Perhaps it was too controversial? Too silly? Too many Americans unfamiliar with its lead actor? Whatever the reason for Hamlet 2‘s failure, I’m not entirely sure. But I’ll offer a few reasons that it’s worth seeing:

1. It’s a memorable parody. Hamlet 2 is evidently a spoof of dramatic, inspirational “teacher films” like To Sir with Love, Dead Poets’ Society, Mr. Holland’s Opus, and The Emperor’s Club. And it’s great fun to watch Steve Coogan’s clueless theatre teacher, Dana Marchsz, sidestep around the conventional themes of this genre, e.g., creating art, reaching out to unreachable students, standing one’s ground, growing into a “real” teacher.
2. The “reintroduction of Elizabeth Shue,” as the trailer puts it, yields varying degrees of intertextuality that those who grew up in the 1980s will likely find endearing.
   
3. The closing musical numbers are, to quote one character, simultaneously horrifying and fascinating. Hamlet 2‘s numbers, the aforementioned “Rock Me, Sexy Jesus” included, are a cross between Grease!, Star Wars, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Jesus Christ Superstar, Waiting for Guffman, and an Elton John concert. Hyperactive and, some would argue, sacrilegious, the numbers are bizarre, unexplainable (i.e., why is Albert Einstein singing about being “raped in the face”?), and oddly, inspiring. Here’s a taste of “Rock Me, Sexy Jesus” (or you can watch below).

If you’ve seen Hamlet 2 (or plan to add it to your Netflix queue), I’d love to know what you think. Which was it to you: more fascinating or horrifying?

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