Boo-hoo for the White Rapper

Rating: Null/10 (8 November 2002)

For me, there was no way to see this movie other than a feature length promo for Eminem's CD's. Will it hold up over the years? No. This is entertainment for the white rap audience to accept themselves and have a 'hero', nothing more.
For me, this was like watching Pat Boone perform Little Richard tunes for acceptance and miracles upon miracles, he's beloved and embraced by everyone. Who gives a damn about Little Richard during all of this? And that is my point. (Before you "howl", I am aware of how many years ago that was -- and how supposedly different the world was -- but the idea behind Eminem is the same and proves to me the world hasn't changed. And yes I know Dr. Dre produced alot of his CD work, but I will stand by my Pat Boone analogy.)
Granted, Eminem plays a "fish outa water" character that overcomes his obstacles to become a big star in the crappy portion of Detroit (or Chicago, or Philadelphia, or Los Angeles or ....???) Come on folks, like HE wouldn't? Just because his mom was an alcoholic, etc., etc.? Please. My heart bleeds for Eminem's problems. You just KNOW he's got the odds against him. Please.
This coulda been a movie of the week on a network channel except they needed the "white boy recording star of the day" to star in it and get it to the screen. And it WILL make money for there are TONS of young Eminem music fans. But if you aren't one, this film will do nothing for you.
My point is replace "rap" with any genre that Black musicians perfected...like "blues" or "jazz", throw the mega white selling music flavor of the day in and and "poof" you have a Hollywood Cinderella Music story...and mainstream white America going out to purchase tickets for it.
I am sorry, its a sad excuse for a $10.00 theater ticket and my time. I am reminded of many films for music-video artists: Madonna, Brittney Spears, Mandy Moore, etc., and now Eminem. Ya just know in a few years this will keep going and going and going...for that is Hollywood. Good script or bad. Great acting or great acting right now. You just know the scripts will include an alcoholic parent/an abusive parent/a protective streak for a sibling/a black or gay character with a heart of gold and a po' white kid who sold millions of CD's trying to make it in a fictionalized autobiography.
Please. Enough already.