8-Mile
Eminem is a surprising success in this grim reflection of a life lived daily on the edge of failure, sustained through necessity and nourished on dreams. Directed by Curtis Hanson and written by previously unaccomplished Scott Silver, this is a well-wrought story that will have you silently rooting for "Rabbit" as he battles in rhyme with Detroit rappers.
When i first saw 8-Mile coming, I thought it would be to Eminem's music what Men in Black was to Will Smith's repertoire. It's a far cry from that. Eminem is surprisingly good as Rabbit, possibly because he has personally experienced a fair portion of the world Rabbit inhabits.
As we see him try to juggle his deperate mother (courageously played by Kim Basinger), his love for his sister, his need to hold down a job and his desire to succeed on the local rap scene, we learn to care about the same things he does, and appreciate the courage it takes to stand up on stage again after choking on his words the week before.
This is a touching story, and it shows, all to accurately, how people fight daily merely to get by, and how valuable friends and small victories can be.
You can buy this on DVD at Amazon.
Posted by nlvp at June 6, 2003 11:00 AM