Starring: Eminem, as Jimmy”Rabbit”Smith, Brittany Murphy, Kim Basinger.

Story:

This is a film I had heard a lot about and did not get to see at the cinema. So, as you can imagine I had been eagerly anticipating this films release to DVD. I was not disappointed. I am writing this several days after watching the preview and can say that I keep thinking of more and more that I liked about this film.

There is little story here, as the time span the film covers is little over a week. But in a week a lot can happen and a man can begin to grow up. This tale basically delves into a snapshot moment of the life of Jimmy, otherwise known as “B.Rabbit”. He has just split (again) from his long time girlfriend Janeane, he works at Detroit pressing, making what I presume are car body parts, and returns home to his mums (Basinger) trailer in a down and out trailer park.

Rabbit’s main ambition in life is to get ahead and to become a recognised, successful rapper. But over the course of the week he starts to see his life as a series of choices that he must make on his own terms. We see him come to grips with himself in failing at a “Rap Battle” and his indecision on what to do and how to move ahead with his life, to making his own choices. There are casualties and dramas along the way.

The film portrays the hard life of many people in the poorer suburbs of any city. It also portrays hope and ambition, despair and cruelty. Distinction is made between the haves and have nots even through the title “8 Mile”, which is apparently a road in Detroit which seperates middle class white areas from the poorer black areas.

This film accomplishes much more than being an “Eminem” movie. In the extras Marshall Mathers III (Eminem) states he did not want to do an “Eminem” movie, or a biography, as it would limit him to only showing what he knows and not any of the possibilties that became available. The other actors in this film did an extremely credible job. Kim Basingers portrayal as his useless mother was quite convincing, but the fact is Eminem shines in this film. I would be inclined to give this a 4 1/2 out of 5, but don’t have that option, so 4 it is.

Extras:

The Making of 8 Mile - A short documentary, which gives depth to the film and how it come about. Quite interesting.

Rap Battles - see Eminem in action, spontaneously rising to the challenge of other rappers. See the extras compete in 15 second rap battles.

The Eminem “Superman” Video

DVD Rom total AXess featuring an exclusive interview with Eminem

Trailers for “2 Fast - 2 Furious” and “The Hulk”

Overall:

This film certainly shows the talent that Eminem is. His acting was superb and while the film doesn’t have much of a story, there is enough impact to make this film worth watching.