A well-made, immensely enjoyable "semi-biopic"

Rating: Null/10 (5 October 2003)

For all the hype that was first surrounding this film, it delivered shockingly well considering the expectations. I must admit, I was very surprised by how much I was rooting for the underdog protagonist by the end of Eminem's great drama "8 Mile". Backed by an impressive all-star cast, an amazing director, and of course, the raw, intense material that is freestyle rap, this "rags-to-riches" story is always a compelling watch. Unlike some other recent ill-fated leaps to the big screen by musicians, this film can certainly stand out as one of the few crowned jewels of 2002. It is a terrifically entertaining, and powerful, picture. I don't know if I would quite call it a masterpiece, nor would I go so far as to praise Eminem's acting as Oscar-worthy (which some people obviously did). He's a fine actor, I agree, but when one is essentially playing a sketchy version of him/herself, I don't know if that would exactly qualify for the coveted statuette.
Nevertheless, the film is a moving tale of struggle, hardship, and pain, and how much success in the world of music can mean to one person. Jimmy Smith "Bunny Rabbit" Jr. (Eminem) is truly a sympathetic character whom, despite some of his clear flaws, is the kind of person most people would want to see make it in the real world, due to his sincere dedication and his personal turmoil.
"8 Mile" is without a doubt one of the best musician-to-actor-transition films I have ever seen. Although it can be more than a little mainstream and clichéd at times, I disagree with the people who claim this film is far too tame. No way. This is about as real as it gets in the underground. It's a keeper.