Eminem's decent movie debut

Rating: 7/10 (12 July 2009)

Eminem's big film "8 Mile" was made in a period where it was almost a habit for superstars to have their own movies; Spice Girls with "Spice World" some years earlier, Britney Spears with "Crossroads" and Mariah Carey with "Glitter". Despite this reviewer haven't seen the two latter movies, I'll guess I'm not wrong when I suggest that "8 Mile" is different and has more credibility than the previous "superstar" films.
"LA Confidential" Curtis Hanson as the director was a odd, but still interesting choice, cause a movie starring the superstar rapper Eminem isn't something that you would associate with him, but with Curtis as the director gives the movie immediately credibility. The reviewers and public (in my country) had only positive things to say about this film and when I finally saw it with those recommendations in mind, I turned out to be the opposite of disappointed.
"8 Mile" is a gritty, but good and dynamic movie. It shows that a drama can be dark and gritty without being to gloomy. It shows that a movie can be dynamic without being too overdone. It shows that a movie can be violent, without being too explicit.
Like most of us knows (since it has already been some years since this movie's release), this isn't Eminem's biography, but still parallels the rapper's real, tough adolescence, which is enough to consider this movie as different and more valuable from the other "superstar" films.
Eminem is the one who carries the movie and it's nice to see a different and more calmer side of him. Still, in all consideration, there's no denial that he's a much better rapper than he is an actor. The best acting in the movie is from Kim Basinger as the rapper's mother. The rest of the cast does only a decent job, despite Mekhi Phifer as Future and Evan Jones as Cheddar Bob, two of our protagonist friends, are those who distinguish them self from the rest of the friend-group. Brittany Murphy as the love interest Alex delivers a decent performance, without being particularly memorable.
Like mentioned earlier, this flick is entertaining and engaging. There are some party, sex and action segments and a decent drama to keep the audiences attention and making this a memorable film. In fact, it's safe for non-Eminem fans to watch the flick and enjoying it. But there are some sections who are too slow and could have been cut to tighten the movie up. The relationship between Eminem and his little sister Lilly is a cute one, but could have been more developed. And some of Eminem's secondary friends are at times annoying and distracting.
But since this movie is starring a rapper, there are some of rap in the film and the rap battles are without doubt the highlights. And in those segments is where Eminem proofs why he's one of the best, white rappers out there (despite his content in his lyrics is another discussion).
Despite "8 Mile" is at times too slow, it's overall a great and entertaining movie that deserves to be seen.