Gritty!

Rating: Null/10 (10 November 2002)

Waddya mean this movie is predictable? What's a blue-collar white rappin' guy gonna be doing that wasn't depicted here?
Anyway, I thought that the movie showed a lot of guts in depicting the 'real America' and not the one where everyone lives in million-dollar houses in predominantly white suburbia. It showed a realistic depiction of a blue-collar guy finding his own way. Sure some of the characters were a little on the 2-dimensional side but sometimes people are like that in life too.
As for Mr Mathers performance; I'd like to announce that this is a fine start to a promising acting career. Many have tried before (Elvis, Whitney, Sting... ad nauseum) and failed. So, the script didn't exercise his acting ability too much but I believed in the character.
Sure this isn't the 'true-to-life story of Marshall Mathers III' but it is analogous to some degree. The rap battles were particularly well photographed, directed and performed. The rhymes were awesome and hilarious and they showed Marshall's true talent.
Look beyond the hype and I think you'll find a well-told tale.