8 mile: capture it or let it slip? (8 Mile (DVD))

Member Name: ajbluestar

Product:	8 Mile (DVD)
Date:	20/08/09 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great rapping, Eminem. good support cast esp Phifer

Disadvantages: some actors not so good

Introduction

This film is about a young rapper trying to make it to the big time from humble beginnings in a poor neighbourhood in Detroit, Usa. It is somewhat based on the main actors real life. Eminem is from Detroit and grew up in the area but the film is not a completely factual account of his life story but is instead a fictionalised story with similarities to his own life.

Plot

The people of Detroit know 8 Mile as the city limit, a border, a boundary. It is also a psychological dividing line that separates Jimmy Smith Jr. from where and who he wants to be.Jimmy Smith Jr. also known as B-Rabbit (Eminem) is a wannabe rapper from the wrong side of Detroit's 8 Mile. He has to deal with a few problems in his life: he dumps his girlfriend when she tells him she's pregnant, to save money to make a demo tape he moves into his alcoholic mum's (Kim Basinger) trailer, he works in a dead end job, and he's just choked at the local head-to-head rap contest. Things improve when he meets Alex (Brittany Murphy) - an aspiring model headed for New York and a fast-talking friend (Mekhi Phifer) promises to set up a demo for him. Then he faces new setbacks and everything comes down to the next rap showdown at the club. Can B-Rabbit pull it out the hat and give the performance he needs?

Opinion

I found this film enjoyable and entertaining and there were some funny moments also. Don't go into it expecting all action and comedy though because it is not that kind of film. It is more of a drama. Eminem gives a good performance as the lead in his acting debut and there is a strong sense of realism in the role he plays. He is supported well by his romantic interest played by Brittany Murphy and Mekhi Phifer who plays his friend. The music in 8 mile is great and the title track lose yourself won an Academy Award for the Best Original Song and became the first film with a rap/hip-hop song to win an Academy Award.

As for the plot, it is not about Eminem's life. Eminem said it himself in an interview. Mekhi Phifer even said that he didn't want to do the movie because he thought it was about Eminem's life and that Hollywood was just trying to take advantage of a rising star, but this isn't the case. Even though there are certain things in the movie that relate to Eminem's life (e.g. 8 Mile Road,) this is certainly not an autobiography.

The film probably appeals more to the audiences that listen to Eminem's music but I think it can also be enjoyed by others. The music and rapping is great. Some of the acting isn't the best but overall it is very watchable and entertaining and has an inspring feel to it.


Film Details:

Directed by: Curtis Hanson

Produced by:

Curtis Hanson
Brian Grazer
Jimmy Iovine

Written by: Scott Silver

Starring:

Eminem
Kim Basinger
Brittany Murphy
Mekhi Phifer
Michael Shannon
Proof
Xzibit
Eugene Byrd

Music by Eminem
Jeff Bass
Proof
Obie Trice
Xzibit
50 Cent

Distributed by Universal Pictures

Release date(s) November 8, 2002

Running time 110 minutes (normal version)

Summary: good rap/hip hop drama film