by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright November 14, 2002
All Rights Reserved.

aunching his Hollywood career, bad-boy rap phenom Eminem told his glamorized story in 8 Mile—an impressively crafted film by L.A. Confidential director Curtis Hanson. A rags to "better rags" tale about Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith's rise from trailer trash to eventual stardom, though the story ends without showing his meteoric success. Creating smoky landscape filled with urban decay plaguing the rustbelt in the upper Midwest [Detroit], Hanson reveals the sordid street scene in deteriorating Motown, once the beating heart of soul, giving rise to the hopeful, upwardly mobile black culture of the 1960s. 8 Mile, like Stallone's Rocky or Prince's Purple Rain, tells Eminem's struggle as rap artist, seeking to make it against all odds. While few survive the barrio, "B-Rabbit" guts it out, fights off his own demons and eventually prevails. Eminem conveys intensity, displays persistence and shows passion, forging his hip-hop talents into a musical reality that eventually pays off.

      Whether boxing or rapping, Scott Silver's screenplay reveals Eminem's internal journey for success, despite the dismal reality of living with his aging mother played by Kim Basinger, her abusive boyfriend and preschool sister in a rundown trailer. Hanson's attention to detail creates an unbearable environment from which Eminem seeks to escape through his will, drive and rap music. His female love interest, a cheap-looking blonde named Alex, played by Brittany Murphy, expresses her goal of making it in New York—a distant but glitzy dream. Murphy's character conveys her affinity for the rebellious, yet pensive rapper, battling his own insecurities en route to success. Working his day job stamping bumpers reminds struggling artists that there's no shame in survival, while artistic dreams stay on the backburner. Most struggling artists relate to the unfavorable odds and lonely path to success.

      Eminem's single-minded focus and artistic talent draws him into a steamy encounter at his job, conveying the spontaneous yet catch-as-catch-can nature of his life. Alex's uninhibited passion displays her brashness, capturing Eminem's talent, ambition and success. Eminem's evolving character reveals both a hardened core and pensive vulnerability, especially expressed through his stoic face and tender relationship with his little sister. Eminem, dismissed by mainstream whites as depraved and offensive, shows his depth and sensitivity, vindicating the vulgarity of his lyrics. Walking the streets, living in poverty and hanging around with his aimless cronies, conveys the endless road to nowhere for restless youth trapped in the inner city. Eminem's violent rap music doesn't degrade, defile or disparage. It allows hopeless souls healthy expression needed to cope with intolerable circumstances. Rap artists, like Eminem, give the audience a vehicle to constructively channel otherwise dangerous impulses.

      Placing Eminem's rap in the context of a deteriorated inner city, allows youth to vent rage without violence, conveying the cathartic value to otherwise incomprehensible music. With so much bad press, 8 Mile wins the audience by turning inner city dwellers into to underdogs seeking a better way of life. For Eminem, his art gives him a fighting chance—for his audience, it shows how talent and hard work pay off. Eminem's path on the streets of Detroit gives an already improbable story more inspiration. Calling himself trailer-trash reminds inner city blacks that not all whites inherit a life of privilege and advantage. Making it in the uniquely black street world of hip-hop, Eminem shows how artistry, talent and determination transcend circumstances—and race. Combining music with hip poetry, rappers are today's beatniks, blending powerful lyrics with catchy tunes. Anyone who listens—regardless of the lyrics—sings along and gets the message, marvels at the directness, honesty and therapeutic value.

      Working his craft, overcoming personal obstacles—including stage fright—and remaining true to convictions, Eminem extricates himself from his own self-doubts, enabling him to break free of his surroundings. At a climactic point in the film, he and his buds torch a deteriorated old house, symbolically preventing him from moving ahead. Like a forest fire, new growth occurs only when old relics vanish. Rap competitions staged in a converted warehouse provide the arena for competition. At first anxious, Eminem overcomes his fears, accepts his talent and becomes fiercely competitive. In a steamy love scene, Alex allows Eminem to perform, giving him the confidence to overcome his stage fright. After he makes love, there's no turning back. He marches ahead eventually battling fellow rappers to win the competition. Like so many other battles, Eminem conquers his internal fears before he's ready to succeed.

      8 Mile, while not perfect, brilliantly conveys the passion to succeed with refreshing authenticity. Making it from the streets inspires all urban dwellers currently trapped within the inner city. Eminem's acting exceeds all expectations by keeping his rapping up and dialogue to a minimum. Using body language and impressive facial expressions, he's able to convey the same charisma that dazzles audiences. Brazen, iconoclastic and upbeat, 8 Mile answers Eminen's critics, giving a context to his violent lyrics that sometimes offend mainstream audiences. Showing sensitivity and depth, the film humanizes the rebellious rapper, giving audiences its first upclose look at his human side. Beyond Eminem's own story, his audience should have a clearer picture of what really happens on the streets of the inner city. Rappers like Eminem cry out hoping that someone's listening. 8 Mile takes moviegoers to a place they've never been or choose too shut out. For those caring to pay attention, it's time to take harder look.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's a consultant and expert in strategic communication. He's author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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