8 Mile (2002) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

USA 2002
Director: Curtis Hanson
Cast: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Michael Shannon, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Eugene Byrd, Taryn Manning
Rating: R
Release Date: 8 November 2002
Running Time: 1 hour 49 minutes

The Movie Review

Biographical movies or in short biopic are mostly role by actors and not by the main subject of the movie itself. You can't be expecting that every famous people could act right? And also not all of them still alive when their movies were produced. An exception is of 8 mile which is headlined by the subject himself, Eminem. Now the question is, is 8 mile really a movie about Eminem or is it just a mere fiction.

8 mile is a movie that tells the story about a young man named Jimmy Smith Jr.--that most of his friends know him better as B-Rabbit--who clearly has a talent in rap music but very discouraged to show his ability due to his skin color. Rabbit is a white guy comes from a broken family; he lives in a trailer with his mom Stephanie Smith (Kim Basinger). At day time he works


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in a car assembling factory and at night he often comes to the Shelter, the place where people come to see "Rap-Battle". Rabbit realizes that Rap music is his way for brighter future, but could Rabbit pass the long and windy road?

I was surprised to see the good acting quality of Marshall Bruce Mathers III a.k.a Eminem, recalling that he is not originally an actor and 8 mile is his acting debut, and in addition to that Eminem's creation of Jimmy Smith Jr. is also a likable and sympathetic character. Though Eminem's gaze is still empty but the words coming out of his mouth are undeniably masterpieces of rap.

Other cast members populating this film are top actors, with Kim Basinger that is still as sexy as ever and Michael Shannon although only has minimum screen time manages to fill the gap. Shame though there is zilch chemistry between Eminem and Brittany Murphy. Speaking of 8 mile's soundtrack, well, top-notch! Eminem wrote the soundtrack himself and he even collaborated with several famous rap artist, and to name a few 50 Cent, Xzibit, Macy Gray and Jay-z.

8 Mile has the charm of a great independent movie, although its budget is as high as forty million dollars. 8 Mile is a blaxploitation movie with a white dude as the leading actor. It is mandatory for Eminem's fans to watch this movie. B-Rabbit also serves as a very good example of finding a way out from misery, searching for a new life amidst the chaos and hopelessness. 8 Mile combines drama and music in proper proportion, thus making it an entertaining movie. Kudos especially for Eminem.

© iwan pranowo of Movielogy.com