8 Mile *** (2002, Eminem, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy) – Classic Movie Review 1523

Director Curtis Hanson’s 2002 release stars Eminem, who does his rap thing and tries for a bit of acting, too, in this acclaimed drama of a poor, misunderstood boy in the backstreets of Detroit. Eminem impressed a lot of people with his work here in this sort-of-biographical drama. Eminem’s Lose Yourself won the Oscar for Best Original Song.

Certainly Eminem acquits himself very adequately as B-Rabbit, a wannabe rap artist who struggles to break free from his poverty-stricken background and make a name for himself on the Detroit music scene. His efforts to make good include trying to win a rap contest and escape Michigan. The role’s no special stretch for Eminem, who doesn’t disgrace himself, but surprisingly Kim Basinger (Oscar winner for LA Confidential) struggles as his sluttish, alcoholic mother.

On the plus side, it’s a well-filmed, gritty-looking movie, with convincing backgrounds and a persuasive atmosphere. But the story is very corny and trite, Basinger is miscast and at sea as Eminem’s slutty mom and, of course, you do have to like Eminem and rap music. Brittany Murphy gives an emotional turn as Alex, an aspiring model headed for New York, whom B-Rabbit meets. But Alex isn’t faithful to him, his mom rejects him, there are rifts with his friends, and he’s mugged by rivals.

In the end, it all leads to a rap contest showdown at the local club. The movie is a rap video version of real life with a tale that often seems manipulative, cynical and schmaltzy. But Curtis Hanson, the director of LA Confidential and Wonder Boys, makes a thoroughly professional job of it, turning in a sharply edited, well photographed, posh-looking movie. Mekhi Phifer and Evan Jones also star.

Brittany Murphy died of cardiac arrest on December 20 2009, aged 32.

It is rated R or 15 for strong language, sexuality, some violence and drug use.

Hanson’s the highly respected director of Losin’ It (1983), The Bedroom Window (1987), The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992), The River Wild (1994), L.A. Confidential (1997) and Wonder Boys (2000). Sadly, after Chasing Mavericks in 2012, he has retired due to Alzheimers.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1523

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