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| 8 Mile (15) Director: Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential, The Wonder Boys) Starring: Eminem (Jimmy ‘Rabbit’ Smith Jr.), Kim Basinger (Stephanie), Brittany Murphy (Alex), Mekhi Phifer (Future). There are a lot of people in this world who really hate Eminem. Those people would do good to watch this film, because it certainly paints its lead star in a glowingly positive all American hero light. Not that this is a biopic, but it certainly wont do Eminem’s real life image any harm. The story is about as clichéd as they come. Trailer trash kid Rabbit (Eminem), who happens to be alright at rapping, rises from the gutter of his miserable life to (almost – the ending is a little ambiguous) be a somebody, Rocky-style. I don’t think the story was ever meant to be payed attention to, and that the film was meant to rest on the shoulders of the damn cool rap battles. Which wouldn’t be a problem if there was more of them. The rap battles themselves are excellent. The Real Slim Shady’s sly wit is put to good use against the nasty bad types - gangsters and homophobes and the like. And they really work and are tons of fun to watch. But then in between that there’s these dull long stretches of oh so worthy made for TV drama involving Rabbit’s crack whore mamma, played by Kim Basinger, who to be honest is crap, and his baby sister and an eviction notice and a drunken slob boyfriend. In fact, none of the supporting cast seem to be up to much, first time actor Eminem puts them to shame big time. He plays it broody and subdued, but always ready to let fly with the fists in the name of all that is honest. Kinda like Russle Crowe’s character in L.A. Confidential. Despite the little too self aware and worthy story line, Eminem’s character is engaging, and the rap battles alone, and in particular Rabbit’s ad lib while fixing up his car, are enough reason to see this film. I doth moan too much, it’s a good film. Rachel. |
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