November 8, 2002

By Veronica Mixon

It's always nice to see ambition and talent win the day - especially when a musical artist moves over to film and it turns out to be a good thing. While everyone is listing the disastrous performers that the white rapper, Eminem could have joined, I'd like to remind people that his remarkable performance in 8 Mile is reminiscent of Prince's Purple Rain and Whitney Houston's star making debut in The Bodyguard. The controversial rapper who spouts anger at women and gays looks incredibly shy on the big screen but it loves him nevertheless. Eminem is superb as the poor white kid who dreams of leaving his miserable existence behind him and succeeding in Hip Hop.

In 8 Mile, Jimmy "Rabbit" Smith, Jr. (Eminem) reluctantly returns to live with his alcoholic mother, Stephanie (Kim Basinger L.A. Confidential) and his little sister in a rusty trailer. They constantly fight because she's so irresponsible. Rabbit walked away from his girlfriend (Taryn Manning) who's pressing for a commitment but quickly replaces her with ambitious go-getter, Alex (Brittany Murphy Don't Say A Word). He also dedicates himself to a dead-end job at a metals factory until he can raise the money to making a rap demo.

His real family consists of his best friends - Future (Mekhi Phifer Paid in Full) who hosts a weekly "battle" between local rappers, Sol (Omar Benson Miller), activist DJ Iz (De'Angelo Wilson) and dimwitted goof ball and Cheddar Bob (Evan Jones). For these impoverish young men, dreaming of a record deal is the height of ambition and success. The guys all believe that Rabbit is gifted and fast-talking Wink (Eugene Byrd) believes that he can land him a recording contract before all others.

But Rabbit is paralyzed with fear. He watches the slick delivery and rough verbal punches that Papa Doc (Anthony Mackie) utilizes to smoke his competition at the "battle" and he simply loses his nerve. While other young men strut, brag and openly dream, Rabbit ponders the true meaning of life. It's hard! He's talented but he knows that there's a real chance that he might not get what he truly wants.

8 Mile Road is the racial dividing line in the poorest section of Detroit but the world of Eminem and his fictional character isn't divided. He's a poor white boy whose creative existence was born in Black cultural expression and he has no qualms about that fact. Curtis Hanson, the Oscar nominated director of LA Confidential and Wonder Boys was a perfect choice for this project because he knows how to make a city one of the essential characters of the story.

Detroit is a desolate urban place but people still live there. The gritty scenes at Rabbit's job, the dungeons that house the clubs and the rickety trailer park remind us why the angry voice of from this urban blight is so powerful. Yet, the film has very little real violence (no guns or knives) and there are true moments of humor (like Basinger's character tries to discuss her sex life with her son).

Eminem, despite his inexperience as an actor, is compelling and his long silences speak volumes. We're so use to heroic efforts in movies that Rabbit's fear and embarrassment serves as stunning reminder of human frailty in our world of instant gratification and fame. When he lies about living with his mother to Alex, comforts a wounded Cheddar Bob or declares, "if something is going to happen, it needs to happen now!" - the urgency of his dreams are so poignant that you can't help but root for his success.

Furthermore, Curtis Hanson has surrounded Eminem with very talented actors -- Mekhi Phifer, who is at the top of his acting game as his mentor, pretty Brittany Murphy as his streetwise love interest and Kim Basinger, who makes the most of a small part. Hanson also has done a lot with a thin script and provides the best ending of any film this year because it is so sensible.

8 Mile is a winner!