One for rap fans

Rating: 6/10 (12 February 2003)

Eminem plays aspiring rapper Jimmy (nickname Rabbit') who lives in a trailer in Detroit with his mother (Kim Basinger) and his little sister. The story of 8 Mile' is pretty uneventful. When we first meet Rabbit', he has just broken up with his girlfriend but he soon finds new romance in the form of Brittany Murphy. We see him hanging out with his buddies and by day, he works at a steel pressing plant while trying to build up the nerve to compete in the rap duels' which take place at the local club. Although Rabbit' has the raw talent, his nerves get the better of him at his first attempt and he freezes when he is passed the microphone while an all black audience heckles him.
The lead role is one which is hardly going to stretch Eminem but he does give a credible performance and I emerged from the cinema liking him a bit more than when I went in.
8 Mile' is a very well acted film but I did not find it a great film. This is one which will be enjoyed more by rap fans. During the rapping scenes, I felt like I would have benefited if the speed of the lyrics were either slowed down or printed on the screen as subtitles. Also, the ending was a little abrupt which for me took away the sense of personal triumph which Rabbit' must have been feeling.