Dull, to be frank

Rating: Null/10 (20 May 2003)

Eminem's big screen debut is at once revelatory and disappointing. It is revelatory because it shows Eminem to be something other than a controversy baiting ego on legs. It is disappointing because the film wastes an acting talent by divulging in cliched stereotypes and inanity.
It is a many used tale. Rabbit (Eminem- in a semi autobiographical role) is an aspiring rapper in Detroit. He is the only white kid in his friendship circle, and the only one who is really talented. The irony here though, is that he cannot show off this talent because he has incredible stage fright. His mother is hardly supportive, being more interested in sleeping with as many men as she can on the block, and Rabbit has no siblings to talk to.

What is so disappointing about this is that it feels so "safe". The issue of race and how major a factor it is in rap is never fully explored. The only thing that comes close to it is an incoherent set of ramblings about conformity. The dialogue should be witty and clever but is merely just inane reverting to stereotypical ghetto speak (a lot of "**** this" and "****that"). The acting is also third rate due to the lack of material the performers have to work with. Kim Basinger is merely a sketchy stereotype as the trailer trash mother.
What it comes down to, is a set of the emperor's new clothes. It wants to be an involving, emotive drama but what it really is, is a shallow popcorn flick with no soul and no intelligence. Dull, duller, dullest- you'd be better off watching Boyz in the Hood for the umpteenth time- at least it's genuine.