film: review

> 8 MILE (2002)
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By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

Starring: Eminem, Kim Bassinger, Brittany Murphy

Directed by: Curtis Hanson

Written by: Scott Silver

Genre: Drama

Our Rating: 8 out of 10

This drama about Jimmy "Rabbit" Smith Jr's (Eminem) early years in a Detroit rap underworld may at times feel a lot more like a biography on Eminem, real life rapper and star of 8 Mile. Luckily it strays away from that about midway through. Eminem does a nice job, good for him to choose something close to what he has lived for his first venture as "actor". Director Curtis Hanson (L.A.Confidential, Wonder Boys) shows us the dark underbelly of Detroit, its back streets, broken homes, and most interesting here, the freestyle battles of rap wannabes from this particular suburb. I have read about these contests but of course (being a white dude from the farm) never have seen anything like this on screen. They were well thought out and extremely entertaining. Kudos to Eminem, Bassinger, Murphy, and Mekhi Phifer for great performances. It seems like every character has some sort of little twist to them in this one. One word of advice though, your kids will want to see this film, and although it is good and has a positive inspirational message the language is really harsh and there is one really raw sex scene. So maybe let your younger Slim Shady wannabes wait until they get a little older before they see this one.

(03-0108)

related links:

8 Mile - official site