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| 8
Mile
Directed By: Curtis
Hanson Plot
Summary - Review 1 - Review
2 - CURRENT REVIEWS
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| The people of Detroit know 8 Mile as the city limit, a border, a boundary. It is also a psychological dividing line that separates Jimmy Smith Jr. (Eminem) from where and who he wants to be. 8 Mile is a provocative fictional examination of a critical week in Jimmy's life, starring multi-platinum recording artist Eminem in his first leading role in a feature film, along with Kim Basinger as Jimmy's mother, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy and Eugene Byrd. “8 Mile” is a very good movie. It is the perfect ammunition for those who want to defend rap music and may even change the minds of those who see the genre as nothing but a hatred-advocating, violence-prone and vulgar-filled enterprise. It is the somewhat autobiographical project of star Eminem (born Marshall Bruce Mathers III), based on his early days in Detroit before he became the bestselling singer. In it, his life is shown as nothing short of hell on Earth. He has just broken up with his girlfriend, who claims she is pregnant. He has four extremely loyal friends, but all they can think of doing is driving around town smoking marijuana. He meets a girl that catches his eye, but she seems willing to latch on to any guy with a potential for money. He has a sister and a mother, but they live in a trailer and his mother is dependent on men who only want her for her body. It is a depressing situation, and one that many would rather turn a blind eye to. But Eminem, as Bunny Rabbit, has one reprieve; one hope of escaping from this abandoned and forgotten section of the city. It is music. He lives and breathes rap music, listens to it on the bus as he heads to his factory job, thinks up lyrics before he goes to bed, and his friends, if nothing else, encourage him in every moment that he has serious potential. Superficially, “8 Mile” is a “Rocky” film disguised as a coming-of-age music fable. There is the underdog, the internal trauma that must be overcome, the wistful woman lurking in the background and the final, head-to-head battle where the outcome is all but assured. But looking deeper, “8 Mile” and director Curtis Hanson (“Wonder Boys”) have much more substantive issues to explore than just the rising of young Rabbit. There is an authenticity to his life, his problems, the reactions of his friends, and how Rabbit interacts with the world that makes “8 Mile” one of the very best films of the year. There is swearing in this film, lots of swearing. Most viewers are able to get past this fact in the case of “Saving Private Ryan,” “Good Will Hunting,” and countless other films, but I am sure many will have an issue with the language here. Why? Is it too hard to believe that when people are upset, sitting around “chillin’,” or trying to express themselves that there would be some swearing in the real world? There is violence. People are angry in Rabbit’s world and the only way to earn respect, or prove oneself is, sometimes, to back up words with action. There is sex. In what Rabbit later acknowledges as a poor decision, he has a fling with a girl who is out for only one thing: A ticket out of the ghetto. When she meets Rabbit and hears his potential, she is willing to do just about anything to be near him. Rabbit, on the other hand, is looking for anyone, like many young men are. This subplot is darkly honest, presenting their relationship for what it really is. And, finally, there is rap—fast lyrics to a set beat, reflecting hatred, fear, humor and hope, and “8 Mile” does a wonderful job of including rap in the film without allowing the story to be consumed by the music. Rabbit duels against other rappers at a club. In many ways, it is an outlet for them to compete and earn respect without using violence. And, for those who despise rap music, watch carefully. The fun is not had in the beat, in bobbing their heads, or waving their hands. As someone gets ready to improvise, to make their rhymes and tell their stories, the crowd gets quiet. What truly matters are the lyrics. And Rabbit’s moment of triumph is not an “I can talk faster than you” moment. It is not because he can swear more. It is not because he is angrier. It is because he has something honest to say. He is genuine. His fears, his plight and his determination strike a chord with the listeners. In an inspirational sequence, Rabbit finds his voice and takes control. Eminem has been the scorn of many for song lyrics that include racial slurs, comments on homosexuality and violence. His songs do discuss these things, but so do people. It is those that want to sanitize art of any realism that have the biggest problems with Eminem. For others, there is a passion in his work that makes him among the most respected of modern artists. His songs are not about women and gold chains, but about the emotions and fears that affect so many of his listeners. In “8 Mile,” Mathers shines. He has an openness and a sincerity that guarantees us another “Eminem” film. It is him, paired with the patient and exploring Hanson that make “8 Mile” what it is—not a movie about success, but about somehow finding a way to hope and persevere when all seems lost. 
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