8 Mile follows the underdog story formula but here it
takes on a whole new identity, mainly because of its subject.
This film is closely based on Eminem's early days and rather
than being centered on the rapper's controversial style, Scott
Silver's script touches on a more personal level and the
result is something even more brutal and thought-provoking than
the lyrics Eminem spits out on each of his best selling albums.
Unlike many of the musicians trying to become movie stars,
Eminem cannot only act but he can do so incredibly well. He
plays Jimmy Smith Jr., a white would-be rapper of the
8 Mile district in Detroit. His friends know he can rhyme, especially his
buddy Future (Mekhi Phifer), who hosts rap battles at the
local shelter. The only thing is, Jimmy, whose rapper name is
Bunny Rabbit, has a much tougher time
convincing the black audience during these lyrical duels. After all,
one of the more popular ways to describe a white rapper
is that he's nothing but a poser. Still, he and his friends
remain optimistic to the day they will be able to make a studio
demo, which, in turn, will lead to a much better life for all of
them.
It's this kind of wishful thinking that keeps Jimmy going
because, in reality, his life is a mess. His girlfriend dumped
him and he works at a steel mill. Therefore, Jimmy has no other
option but to move back in with his mother (Kim Basinger) and little sister at the
trailer park until he can come up with money to afford a place
of his own. His mother suffers troubles of her own; she is in danger
of being evicted, doesn't have a job, and is involved with a guy that
Jimmy went to high school with. Other supporting characters who come in
later are an aspiring model and love interest (Brittany Murphy)
and Eugene Byrd, a manager of a
violent rap group named Free World (who, it turns out, is involved
in
an east coast-west coast battle with Jimmy and Future's 3-1-4
group).
Director Curtis Hanson and screenwriter Scott Silver chose not
over-dramatize the film's dramatic elements, which is a big plus
on their part.
8 Mile tells the story through atmosphere and words. The
film also portrays the kind of place where acting tough is
considered a way of survival and opportunity is considered a
myth. No one person is waving a gun around or instigating a
drive-by shooting. Instead, 8 Mile gives rap more meaning than ever by
pitting two aggressors into lyrical combat, whereas they
take turns insulting each other to a beat, and the crowd decides
who does it better.
This film is about following your dreams, but also about
learning what it takes to be able to achieve those ambitions. As
an actor, Eminem makes learning this experience all the more
enjoyable. He's charismatic, but also a powerhouse of emotions
that never lets up. From taking care of his little sister and his friends to
the never-say-die attitude he takes with life and work and to the
deeply quiet rage that he summons before each performance --
Eminem gives Jimmy a full personality and makes you want to root
for him all day long.
Many of the other characters, however, seem vaguely drawn out.
This is
especially true for Kim Basinger's character who,
interchangeably, comes off as a drunken whore and a perfect mother
at several stages throughout the film. The relationship
between her and Jimmy also lacks in texture and feels
unneeded.
Nonetheless, 8 Mile is a movie for Eminem and his fans. It's
better than anybody could have imagined and the same goes for
him as well. Take that and shove it, Britney.
