Frank Ochieng is a guest critic who also writes reviews for his own personal website, located here.

To become a Guest Critic for CINEMA 2000, please notify David Keyes.

Review Uploaded
11/15/02

1 hr. 50 mins.
Starring: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Evan Jones, Omar Benson Miller, De’Angelo Wilson
Director: Curtis Hanson

Frank’s film tip: This time, Eminem’s “rap” sheet is worth the fuss in Curtis Hanson’s pulsating musical drama 8 Mile
Over the years, there have been vain attempts to serve up the rock/pop/rap music movie genre and serve it to the anticipation of finger-snapping filmgoers. Some films dedicated to elevating major contemporary recording artists on the big screen have met with exceptional results. Unfortunately, the majority of musicians-turned-actors simply didn’t know when to quit while they were never ahead (Madonna and Mariah Carey…are you listening?). Well, enter confrontational and controversial rap artist Eminem in his first impressive starring lead role in the provocative and crafty musical drama 8 Mile.

Surprisingly, Eminem (a.k.a. Marshall Mathers III) shows some great rawness and savvy in his acting that comes off as honest and compelling. Of course it doesn’t hurt to have acclaimed filmmaker Curtis Hanson (LA Confidential, Wonder Boys) at the helm. Hanson presents a spry and potent lyrical drama about an underdog willing to challenge his personal obstacles in an effort to make it big in the rap music scene. If anything, 8 Mile doesn’t embrace itself in the same ole clichéd mode that befalls other contemporary musical-themed dramas. Hanson is resilient enough to let Eminem strut his dysfunctional stuff and act as the misguided messiah to the legion of his fan base. Some credit definitely goes to writer Scott Silver for conjuring up a hip-hop opus that’s considerate, intriguing, energetic and probing. Overall, there’s a piercing and poetic vibe about 8 Mile that transcends the conventional overtones of an arbitrary raucous and cartoonish rap vehicle.

This semi-autobiographical tale taken loosely from star Eminem’s life tells the mid-nineties story of tortured soul Jimmy “Rabbit” Smith Jr. (Eminem), a white kid with a penchant for the black inner city subculture of rap music and all its influences in the language, fashion style, and attitude. Rabbit happens to reside at the wrong end of 8 Mile Road, a stretch of Detroit real estate that divides the squalor of the raggedy urban venue from its preferred cozy suburban locale. Consequently, Rabbit “chills out” with his group known as Three One Three (named after Detroit’s area code of course). Rabbit, it turns out, has a gift for rapping and rhyming that would make him a perfect participant in the local rap contests held in the surrounding area. But Rabbit is very hesitant at first to consider entering these intense sing-along showdowns that his best friend Future (Mekhi Phifer, NBC-TV’s ER) emcees at night. Future believes that Rabbit has what it takes to excel in the battleground of rigorous rapping.

Meantime, the beleaguered Rabbit has more to worry about then his flirtation with entering high-voltage rap contests. First, he has to contend with his claustrophobic and unstable kooky family living in a cluttered trailer-park home. Mother Stephanie (Kim Basinger, the Oscar-winner from Hanson’s aforementioned LA Confidential) is a frustrated individual trying to cope with her familial situation. She shacks up with a lay-about loafer (Michael Shannon) in what amounts to be a desperate excuse for companionship to satisfy her romantic void. And Rabbit’s kid sister Lily (Chloe Greenfield) also figures into the mix as well. Also on a personal level is Rabbit’s clingy girlfriend (Taryn Manning) who may be putting on some added pressure due to her upcoming pregnancy. Professionally, Rabbit toils at a metal stamping plant in the evening hours. So the question remains: will Rabbit ever escape his confining and complex livelihood?

Sensing the continued monotony of stressed-out and bored lifestyle, Rabbit has nothing to lose in pursuing his passion for venturing into the perilous hip-hop scene. In many ways, this move is very liberating and courageous because this is Rabbit’s self-serving rescue from the downward spiral that holds onto him like a three hundred pound anchor attached to his ankles. And so Rabbit has to take the plunge despite the responsibilities of currently dealing with his constant family problems, his meager-paying dead end job and his revered homeboys at Three One Three.

Rabbit enters the world of the rap battles with the ingredients of confusion, anger, disillusionment, trepidation, and misplaced enthusiasm. In a strange way, all these factors are helpful as a means of fortifying Rabbit with the tools he needs to inspire his sardonic lyrics therefore giving an unnerving bounce to his explosive music. Naturally, there are bumps and bruises along the way to liven up the experiences for the worn-out rap artist to endure. Rabbit finds himself drawn to a groupie named Alex (Brittany Murphy) who figures that her involvement with the talented upstart can pave her way out of her own 8 Mile malaise. Then there are the opportunists looking to exploit the potential of Rabbit’s skillful artistry such as the oily promoter Wink (Eugene Boyd) who promises the moon and stars prematurely. Plus, the concern over chief rival rapper Papa Doc (Anthony Mackie) from the charismatic group Free World has Rabbit as anxious and nervous as an obese hen at a fox convention held in the woods.

This movie is very genuine in its swagger and Eminem’s conflicting charm gives this showcase a boost of confidence in terms of portraying rap’s existence as a bona fide albeit risque’ artform. The supporting cast is uniquely credible, particularly beauty Basinger as an incredibly flawed matriarch struggling with her middle-aged womanhood at the expense of her emotionally deteriorating family. Refreshingly, there is an underlying rage about 8 Mile that’s so daringly unpredictable, wry and caustic.

8 Mile is a jarring narrative that isn’t without fault. Sure, the recycled formula about the rise of a delusional nobody who beats all odds to become a force to reckon with on the world stage can be a tired premise to exhaust at times. And there’s nothing remotely original about what Eminem does in his treasured fable that no one hasn’t done before…say like Prince’s noted angst in his ‘80’s big screen splash in Purple Rain. But for the most part, what is terrific about Hanson’s exposition is that it feels true to its heart in the way it conveys a genuine raw spirit about its main protagonist and the gritty grasp of the subject matter at hand. One doesn’t need to be Dr. Dre or Doctor Dolittle to appreciate this solid “rap” sheet of antagonistic music and its accompanying mayhem.

Fittingly, avid Eminen enthusiasts and other targeted moviegoers will gleefully run this 8 Mile race and enjoy the antics of a misunderstood foul-mouthed rapping icon with layers of complexity all the way to the finish line.

Frank rates this film: *** stars (out of 4 stars)