8 Mile (2002): A Hip-Hop Movie Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (28 January 2018)

8 Mile is a 2002 hip hop drama film starring Eminem, Mekhi Phifer, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy and Michael Shannon. The movie is directed by Curtis Hanson.
The Plot: The year is 1995 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith,
Jr. (Eminem), a worker and a poor man, struggles with life. He has moved back north of 8 Mile Road to a run-down trailer home in Warren, Michigan. There he lives with his alcoholic mother Stephanie (Kim Basinger), his little sister Lily (Chloe Greenfield), and Stephanie's abusive boyfriend Greg (Michael Shannon). Jimmy is a rapper who his friends think that he is very talented. However, Jimmy has a lack of confidence about his ability. This anxiety causes him to choke and lose his rap battle at the hip-hop venue, "The Shelter", leaving the stage utterly humiliated.
Jimmy works at New Detroit Stamping (a car factory). When he asks for extra shifts, his supervisor laughs in his face and rejects his request due to Jimmy's lateness to work. Jimmy becomes friends with Alex (Brittany Murphy). Over time, Jimmy becomes a lot more responsible for his actions and behaviors in the directions of his life. After he gains much improvement in his work ethic and behavior, his supervisor grants his request for extra shifts that he gave earlier.
Stephanie receives a notice declaring that, because she and her family can not afford to pay the rent on her trailer, she and her family must vacate the premises immediately. Stephanie tries to keep it a secret, but Greg eventually finds out about it. Greg and Jimmy have a long and brutal fight, and when it's over, Greg leaves Stephanie for good. Jimmy has friend named Wink (Eugene Byrd), a radio DJ with links to a famous record label. Their friendship becomes torn after Wink does promotional work for Jimmy's rivals, "The Leaders of the Free World", a hip-hop group. Jimmy and his friends get into a brawl with the Free World and Jimmy's friend Cheddar Bob (Evan Jones) takes out a gun and accidentally shoots himself in the leg. He survives but is crippled and has to wear crutches.
On lunch break at work one day, Mike (Xzibit), a lunch truck rapper insults a gay co-worker Paul (Craig Chandler). Jimmy joins the battle, roasting Mike and defending Paul. Alex is impressed by his actions and they go out on a date. Wink arranges for Jimmy to have a recording of a rap demo done at JLB, but when Jimmy gets there, he sees Wink doing it with Alex. Enraged, Jimmy beats up Wink. Alex yells at him to stop and eventually he does. In revengeful style or retaliation, the Free World assaults Jimmy and Papa Doc (Anthony Mackie), the leader of the gang, nearly kills Jimmy before being persuaded not to by Wink.
Jimmy's beast friend and rap-host David "Future" Porter (Mekhi Phifer) encourages him to get revenge by competing against the Free World at the next rap battler at The Shelter. Jimmy's work conflicts with this, but Paul covers for him as a thank you for what Jimmy did earlier. Jimmy goes to the battle.
Jimmy competes against the members of the Free World in every battle. 1st Round 1 - Lickety Split - wins. Round 2 - Lotto - wins. After winning the first two rounds he has to face Poppa Doc, the gang leader and the defending Rap Battle Champion. Jimmy raps first and exposes both his and Poppa Doc's weaknesses. Embarrassed with nothing to say back at Jimmy, Poppa Doc gives the mic back to Future. Jimmy wins the battle and is declared the NEW RAP BATTLE CHAMPION!
After being congratulated by Alex and his friends, Future offers him a position as rap-battle host, alongside himself. Jimmy declines the offer stating he has to get back to work and make success on his own. He walks back to work with confidence and hope for the future.
A rap masterpiece. 10/10.