Movie Review: 8 MILE (2012)
8 Mile – ***1/2
TRL, multi-platinum records, and a load of Grammys: Eminem’s current star status is unmistakable to anyone who hasn’t been locked in a dark room for the past three years. Still, the rapper’s rise to superstardom is only ambiguously alluded to in his lyrics.
Eminem’s pre-celebrity life is more intimately chronicled in the semi-autobiographical 8 Mile. His against all odds, struggle to succeed story may seem like it was packaged for Hollywood, but the first time actor’s obviously personal performance legitimizes this harrowing melodrama.
During his first battle rap, Jimmy “Rabbit” Smith, Jr. (Eminem) freezes up. The crestfallen rapper leaves the stage an even bigger joke than before, just being white. Worse, Jimmy just broke up with his girlfriend, which means its back to the trailer park to live with his mother (Kim Basinger) and little sister. When he gets there, he finds his mother living with one of his old classmates so she can get a piece of a huge accident settlement.
Jimmy’s only reason not to completely blow off his home life is his sister. Instead, Jimmy avoids the trailer park by working at a local stamping factory. Still, he has his ambition to make it as a rapper. The barriers in his personal life, however, are reinforced by a group of “Detroit” rappers who would love to see the white guy out of their hip-hop world. Even with his closest friends as support, Jimmy realizes the only way he is going to make it is on his own.
I didn’t like Eminem when I went into this movie. I’d heard his lyrics, read them for additional scrutiny, and still considered him to be more arrogant and overstated than poetic. In 8 Mile,everything still revolves around Eminem, but with the humility and sincerity his lyrics always lacked.
Maybe it’s because this film is so near to him or maybe it’s because he’s actually an actor, but Eminem gives what is easily the most powerful performance in the film. The camera is on him all the time and I expected to see him buckle under the pressure. Instead, Eminem’s film debut is intense and passionate. The occasional hostility gives way to a pervasive sensitivity which is only amplified by Eminem’s meditative demeanor.
With Eminem on screen all the time, it doesn’t give much room for the supporting cast to fully realize their respective characters. Kim Basinger, as Rabbit’s mom, is the only standout. It’s not that her character is complex, but Basinger doesn’t allow her character not to be.
Even the up-and-coming crowd pleasers, Brittany Murphy and Mekhi Phifer, are barely there. While they are essential plot points, neither character is more than an accessory to Eminem. Murphy and Phifer are so transparent, in fact, it wasn’t even necessary to mention their characters in the plot summary. The lack of cast association, however, pushes Eminem’s already tremendous performance closer to the forefront.
Eminem’s role is most important as the movie tries to fight off the clichéd overcoming all obstacles plot. This isn’t your basic success story. It doesn’t necessary have a happy ending, only because not everyone is going to succeed.
When a bruised and battered Jimmy says, “I’m gonna do it on my own,” his success becomes inevitable, but so does the failure of even his closest friends. The graffiti stained streets and blighted neighborhoods will eat people alive. Eminem knows this and doesn’t allow anyone else to forget it.
Now, beyond the drama this is a movie about a rapper. I don’t know hip-hop; I won’t fake it. But even I can’t deny the exhilaration that comes with battle rapping. Not only are the scenes entertaining, but the battles are where you fall in love with Jimmy Smith, Jr. 8 Mile thrives because of them.
The racial tensions in this film cannot be ignored. They are a major part of Eminem’s motivation. Though the combination of racism and dysfunctional family life could overwhelm a film, Eminem embraces these elements and is able to keep them grounded. Even if you don’t like Eminem, you can’t help but appreciate how far he has come. An obvious labor of love,8 Mile is an inspiration to the wanna-be and dreamer in everyone.
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It is rare that an established filmmaker and production company create something that young people are able to grasp the complete meaning of. Intellectual jargon or unnecessary vagueness of plot often take precedence over lucidity and appeal.
Eminem’s “8 Mile” has managed to break this cycle, presenting in poignant audio/video style the nature of the life so many of our nation’s youth live, and how despite it all there always remains the possibility to break through.
The film’s meaning is largely overt, not subtle, and makes itself available to a much wider variety of viewers than most films with any sort of dramatic moral. Just look at the box office reports for “8 Mile”s opening weekend.
I won’t attempt to speculate on the effect the film will have among our youth, but I personally believe it will be positive in nature. It will be impossible for this film to become as transient as an action blockbuster or as esoteric as a cult classic. It’s depth and range of appeal are simply unparalleled in our time.
I find myself putting everyone else first and my writing last. Thank you for the advice of a routine. staying up at night and writing in the bathroom is taking its tole, not to mention my family thinks I am very ill at this por,i.SincerlynShaton
In my opinion, I would think not. Bauer views the product lines to be different, and although the APX will be the newer of sticks, the TotalOne will still be the top of the line in the other product line. It be sweet if it did though.Matt, the gear guy, may have a different of opinion though.