Rapping to freedom...

Rating: Null/10 (6 November 2002)

It's a very well told tale of a white rapper's life, his fears, his music, and his ability to conquer his hurdles  in an environment where dreams, hopes and anger could only be embodied in lyrics. It may be seen as a controversial film, but it's honestly portrayed. It may be propagated with offensive lyrical assaults, but it's definitely sung to Eminem's tune. This film seems to demand an understanding of a rapper's culture that is built around his social and situational circumstances.
Watch how the young white guy struggle, against all odds, to make something out of his inescapable life and surroundings. Raised by a mother, who obviously has need of redemption herself, Eminem's charismatic Jimmy `Rabbit' Smith character is introduced at the beginning of the film as a total loser. Viewers get to see both arenas of his gentle and his raging temperament.
Jimmy moves back to his mother's trailer-park home in white suburban 8 Mile, Detroit, and yet can't really see it as home'. His financially stricken, trashy mother lugs around the house with a gigolo louse, not much older than Jimmy. And his little sister, Lily, spends most of her time, cuddled up in some corner, cringed with fear and apprehension. That's what's to be expected of his life at 'home'.
The young man has a meager-paying job, working under a tough and overbearing supervisor in a metal stamping plant. He hangs around his loyal group of friends from a tough and dilapidated inner city. Future (Mekhi Phifer) is Rabbit's fervent admirer, believing that his friend has great potentials to achieve stardom. Evan Jones' Bob, Omar Benson Miller' Sol; and De'Angelo Wilson's DJ Iz linger along with the two, almost like loyal pets. We see them in a club, frequented by young black rappers and their fans. Most likely, it's the only social joint for this inner city folks. Jimmy meets Brittany Murphy' Alex and she sets the stage for getting Jimmy out of his in-built reservation. Hey, she and Eminem do have very appealing onscreen chemistry! Truly a fine cast of actors who have definitely brought credibility to their screen characters. It's these characters, together with Jimmy's mother  her messed-up character is wonderfully crafted out by Kim Basinger  who help in the carving of the gradual on-screen development of Jimmy's maturity. This film makes a good study of a young man trying hard to balance his responsibilities toward his family, his friends and his job.

There are many great scenes that support Jimmy's determination to conquer his troubling challenges. The loser' is seen as getting his honky-tonk car to run, bringing his mother to overcome her insecurity, fighting off his shyness, providing comfort for his sister, winning respect from his boss, beating his rival in the hip-hop game, and gaining complete acceptance from the `ghetto' club crowd. And the manner, in which Jimmy chants out his abusive lyrics, plays an important part in portraying the different levels of his confidence development. The ending is phenomenal. We get to see Jimmy walking away, like a man who is freed from his troubled world and from his dilemma  but more important freed from the bondage of everyone. He has found his voice to empower his stance over every troubling circumstance! He achieves in bringing out his best in an awkward world.

Scott Silvers script, with its unpretentious storyline and characters, is definitely worthy of an Oscar. A well directed film that will definitely please Eminem's fans and the hip-hop loyalists.