"POINT OF REVIEW"


8 Mile
Starring Eminem, Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer
Written by Scott Silver and Directed by Curtis Hanson


I don’t particularly like Eminem, but I do respect him. I respect him for being a “white-boy” in a predominantly “black” business and I respect him for how he got there. Underneath all that angry attitude is a very gifted and talented artist who has a way with words. That is what ultimately brought him to the top of the rap game and hopefully that is what he will be remembered for. Not surprisingly, Eminem (real name: Marshall Mathers) can act too. Yes, he is playing himself in this movie, but you have to admit, even playing yourself requires talent sometimes.

8 Mile is loosely based on the real life story of Eminem, a story about a kid nicknamed B-Rabbit who lives in a trailer park with his mom on a stretch called 8 Mile in Detroit, who dreams of becoming a successful rapper -- just like all the other poverty-stricken kids. Mekhi Phifer plays David Porter, aka Future, a hip-cat who hosts rap battles at a place called The Shelter, where up-and-coming rappers battle each other with words and hope to gain some “street cred” and get noticed by somebody that can get them a million dollar contract. When Rabbit is not hangin’ with his crew at The Shelter, he spends his days slaving away in a car manufacturing factory (it’s Detroit, remember) and then goes home to deal with his “white trash” mother, played surprisingly well by Kim Basinger of all people. Needless to say, like sucks. All Rabbit has is his gift for rap, and that is even causing him problems. Because Rabbit is obviously white, he gets a lot of heat from the other street kids and is constantly questioning his talent. Brittany Murphy (looking kind of psychotic) also pops in and out of Rabbit’s life as a new love interest who tells him, “Someday, you’re going to be great”. Directed by Curtis Hanson (Wonder Boys), and produced by Brian Grazer (Imagine Entertainment, aka Ron Howard’s power partner), 8 Mile is very well done. It is dramatic, but not too overly dramatic, and it definitely is pumping in the music category. Eminem shows some real emotion on the mic and off and really gives a solid performance.

We all know how 8 Mile ends obviously, but watching any rise-to-glory movie is always inspiring and entertaining. Unless you are already filthy rich or at the top of the mountain in your career and life, movies like 8 Mile always give us hope of something more and always capture our imaginations. Could I become a superstar rapper? Probably not, but I can still dream of becoming a successful screenwriter. So whether you hate Eminem or not, check out 8 Mile and let it remind you that life sometimes is like one big cliche, and dreams still can come true.


THE RUNDOWN:

The Good: An inspiring and entertaining story.

The Bad: If you dislike rap with a passion, this movie may annoy you at some points.

The Law: 8 Mile is worth a watch and listen. Let it inspire you.