Director Curtis Hanson blew me away with L.A. Confidential and then again with Wonder Boys (see the 2000 Awards). So when I first heard he was going to direct a film based on Eminem's life, I knew it would be more than an "Eminem Movie." And after watching it on opening night, in a theatre full of people who went to see an Eminem movie, I found out... I was right.
This was more than a music artist trying to capitalize on his fame by attempting to act. This was more than a 111 minute music video. This was more than another 'young man in the hood trying to get out' movie. This was a really, really good film. I'm going to stress the word film, not movie. A movie is entertaining, but barely, if ever, goes beyond more than just that. A film will grab you by your emotions, whether to make you cry, laugh, or tremble with fear, and take you for a ride. Films make you think about meanings, and teach you lessons. A movie will be fun, but a good film can change your perspective on life. I'm trying to stress to those who don't want to see an "Eminem movie" that 8 Mile is a film.
With that done, now we can begin. It's no secret that the story is a fictionalized version of Marshall "Eminem" Mathers' life, growing up on the streets of Detroit. The story follows his progression, not to famous rapper that rakes in millions in album sales, but in finding himself. There are dozens of scenes in the movie that show his character, nicknamed Rabbit, just sitting around staring out windows, lost in a world of lyrics and thought and inspiration. Rabbit has hit rock bottom, and he moves back into his alcholic mother's trailer park home to re-think his life. The character is strong, but only on the inside. He hasn't found what he needs to become a great rap artist, and he hasn't found the will to make it happen. That's what this movie is about.
I was expecting a character played by Eminem to be this confident 'bully' type, but instead we see behind the song lyrics and find someone real. And can Eminem pull all this off. I mean, the film requires acting, not just him being himself, but being able to portray emotion and thought with a single look, that's pure skill. And yes, he pulls it off brilliantly. This is like if Will Smith had come straight out of Fresh Prince and made Ali. His performance is outstanding, and I'm not just talking about "it's good for a musician-turned-actor," no, it's a good performance comparing him to any type of actor.
Whether people are fans of Eminem or not, or fans of rap music or not, this is a universal story of overcoming odds, becoming who you want to be, and doing it on your own terms. This is about that time in everyone's life, when they've got to make a choice: to keep dreaming the dream, or to stand up and fight to make the dream a reality. Everyone dreams, but not everyone has the courage to realize them. 8 Mile is proof, especially being semi-based on a true stroy, that if someone from the very bottom of society can break through the barriers put around him and overcome the fear inside to earn not only the respect of peers and enemies, but of yourself to then go out and try to make it, then any of us can do it.
It doesn't accomplish these goals in some cheesy "like in the movies" way, either. It's very real, and that's where you can give thanks to Curtis Hanson's directing. The look, the feel, the intensity, the emotion, it's all real. No "a single tear falls" kind-of moments; when it hurts, it hurts so much you're checking yourself for blood. The supporting cast is incredible, in particular Mehki Phifer, Evan Jones, and Kim Basinger. Brittany Murphy was good, but not as much of a character as she's made out to be in the trailors. But there's no doubt, Eminem has carved out a place in films now, as a serious actor who could've just walked through this like so many other rappers-turned-actors, but he took his time to prepare and it pays off. I'm not sure if the Oscar's will even consider him, but so far critics have said nothing but good things about his performance, so I guess we'll have to wait and see.
One more thing I'd like to note, is about the song "Lose Yourself" that was written for the film and plays in all the trailors. Not since Rocky in 1976, has a song and a movie come together so well to give inspiration and celebrate the achievements of the human spirit. Some may think I'm crazy to say this about an Eminem song, but it's true. That song gives me goose-bumps everytime I listen to it, and unlike many of his songs, this is one EVERYBODY identifies with, whether they'll admit to it or not. If the Oscar's don't remember, Rocky was nominated for 10 awards, and two of those were for Best Song, and Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Alright. That's it, I'm out. Go see this FILM, it's worth it, Eminem fan or not. --Garth Simmons
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