Review of:8 Mile (2002)
Director:Curtis Hanson
Rating:R for (for strong language, sexuality, some violence and drug use).
Starring:Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Eugene Byrd
Director Curtis Hanson (Wonder Boys, L.A. Confidential) brings about a film that weaves an inspiring story about the trials and triumphs of one of the most controversial rappers in the last decade in his newest film. Eminem (Matthew Mathers III) stars in this rap inspired film that strangely parallels some of the events of his life. Eminem stars as Jimmy Smith Jr. (also referred to as Bunny Rabbit) an aspiring rapper who lives on the Eight mile, a hard stretch of life that easily could swallow the ambitions of its inhabitants if you don't have the stamina for its hard lessons. Working at a steel mill by day, Jimmy works on his dream of rapping at night.
When Jimmy breaks up with his current girlfriend Janeane (Taryn Manning) and moves back in with his mom (played by Kim Basinger), and her slacker boyfriend Luke (Michael Shannon) we can quickly see that this character has come to a crossroads in his life. Can he cross that road into adulthood and responsibility or will his character degenerate further into the abyss of underachievement? When you don't have much to hang your hat on you might put all your eggs in one basket, which is what Jimmy does by exhibiting his talents at a local rap spot. There you are put to the ultimate test as you duel with other rappers in a contest that can quickly put a hurting on your self-consciousness. With his friend David Porter (Mekhi Phifer) also known as Future backing him and friends like; Cheddar Bob (Evan Jones), Sol George (Omar Benson Miller), D.J. Iz (De'Angelo Wilson) he makes his try at being a respected rapper. The only thing holding him back is the lack of respect that he gets from being white in an industry where most of the rappers are black.
Jimmy starts to focus in on the things that he wants as he discovers that nothing is ever going to be handed to him. He finds a kindred spirit in the likes of Alex (Brittany Murphy) who just like him wants to achieve great things in the entertainment industry.
The first thing you might notice about the film is that it continually has a gritty look to it. The imagery is all dark and dank looking which provides a very good backdrop for this film. This being Eminem's first starring role in a major motion picture he does a more than adequate job of conveying the never ending struggle that the character goes through.
While watching the picture you get the feeling that it is made in the same mold as another great movie, that being Rocky. It has some of the same underlying strengths about it that Rocky has that being an underdog trying to overcome personal, and society inadequacies. Even the rap challenge scenes seem to have more importance to them, and every word can almost be seen as an open-handed slap when the rhymes are dropped. If you are into rap you most likely will be able to sit, and digest all the different retaliations and disses that are served up like a Sunday all you can eat.
Most definitely this movie is a pleasant surprise, and one that is more than likely one you have to watch more than once to digest all the material.
