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[Guest Gamengiri2002]

I have never been one to pimp my shit on the site. But I just started a site of Film Reviews, it's sparse as of now but maybe you guys could give me your opinions.

 

Here's my review for "8 Mile"

 

8 MILE

Directed By: Curtis Hanson

Written By: Scott Silver

Starring: Eminem, Mekhi Phifer, Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy

8 Mile is yet another film that is, as of late, has gathered a rather large following and generated a lot of hype and public acceptance. Now, the question I set out to ask, as I so frequently do, is ask "is it worthy of it's hype?" What makes me think I am qualified to determine this? The answer: a sufficient mastery of the English lexicon and access to the internet. In other words, use this as a guide, but remember, the final say is up to you.

Before you can watch 8 Mile you should acquaint yourself with it's director, Curtis Hanson. Hanson is a Hollywood director who started off very slowly giving us painful Steve Guttenberg vehicles like "The Bedroom Window" and Hitchcockian knock offs like "Bad Influence". His first notable success came with the suspense/thriller "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" which fared admirably at the box office despite containing little in the way of actual value. He ventured out into other genres after "Hand" got him a reputation in the business. "The River Wild" had a solid box office run and was met with mostly accepting reviews. Then, as so few directors learn to do, Curtis Hanson grew some balls. (Forgive the harsh analogy)

In 1997, he directed "L.A. Confidential" a sure competitor for one of the best films of the 1990's. It had everything in it a film needed and proved that Hanson could, with the right script to work with, tell a story very effectively with a very gritty, realistic style, that exaggerates when necessary but only when it helps the viewer to relate to the story onscreen. Hanson took this a step further with "Wonder Boys" which brought Hanson's realistic approach further down to earth. Both films were excellent and both deserve consideration when thinking of the greatest films of our generation. It's only natural, however, for Hanson who is noted for being able to tell a very human story and inject his characters with a superhuman essence; it's only natural for his next project to be an attempt at doing the same with an actual person.

And who, in the current world scene, is more earthy and close to home, yet on the same note larger than life than controversial rapper Eminem. The controversy surrounding Eminem's music career is really that of a prominent world leader, it's on a scale with that of Nixon's deception or Clinton's infidelities, and yet Eminem is very much a common man.

8 Mile, written by Scott Silver, is reported to be loosely based on Eminem's life story. If such is true, then one may feel ridiculous while watching the film because it portrays Eminem's character (Jimmy Smith Jr.) in such a positive light that the film loses some of it's believability. Eminem, in the public eye, is very flawed (like us all) but the movie sometimes seems as a way for Eminem (the real life Marshall Mathers) to defend himself. Throughout the film we are shown a portrait of flawed and untrustworthy people in Smith's life (his mother, her boyfriend, his romantic interest, his ex-girlfriend) and Smith is always the "nice guy" in their interactions. He's a caring friend, a loving father, a rational romantic partner, and a honest and determined rapper. these might all be true, but one goes into the film, as they should, expecting Hanson, when necessary, to elaborate on his character's imperfections. That is what such a relatable story so sorely needs.

Some aspects of the story itself are far too clichéd to be taken seriously. Eminem's mother's (in a performance phoned in by Kim Basinger) boyfriend is so stereotypical that when we are meant to life at it's obliviousness to things, we can't. It's too painful, we've seen it before. Likewise the character of "Cheddar" Bob (played by Evan Jones) is so inept that it harms the realism of the story. When he accidentally shoots himself, I want to laugh, though I understand the film is not asking me to do so.

Aside from that exception, the comedic elements of the film, when utilized, are done so very effectively. Jimmy and Future (played by Mekhi Phifer who gives the best performance of the entire movie) rapping to the beat of "Sweet Home Alabama" is the kind of irreverence that we appreciate, it's the sort of thing we might expect from two friends hanging out, working on a broken car. The rap battles are also humorous in a subtle and believable way, which helps in digesting such a basic story.

In many ways "8 Mile" can be accurately described as a "Rocky" dealing with rap music. The '8 Mile' in the movie is the dividing line between the middle class part of town and the lower rise area of the inner city. The explanation of the title alone makes this a story of an underdog rising against what ever obstacles and hardships might have befallen him. And, much like in "Rocky", it is first and foremost a story about motivating oneself to do great things. Smith asks a friend of his in the movie:

 

"do you ever wonder at what point you just got to say f--- it man like when you gotta stop living up here and start living down here?"

 

This is the focus of the film. The idea that having your head in the clouds, dreaming about fortune and fame, is not going to get you anywhere if you ignore the situation you're in. Most people, when asked, might say about the movie "I was kind of surprised at the way it just ended." As if they were looking for closure, perhaps in the form of solidifying the fact that Smith was going to make it, that he was on his way to the fame and fortune he so eagerly believes he can achieve. But that isn't the point of "8 Mile". The story is not that of a transition from poverty to fame and success. It is a story about the transition from indifference to motivation . It is a story about the times in our lives when we must stop dreaming and ask ourselves what we can do presently to achieve those dreams.

The way I see it. There are two different views one may have in walking away from "8 Mile". One is the unclear answer to the question "Did Jimmy Smith achieve his dream?" The other is the understanding that now that he has made a clear decision in his head to do whatever it takes, there is nothing that can stop him.

 

My Rating: *** (While there may, in fact, be some inconsistencies in the characterization, the message is quite clearly and stunning conveyed.)

 

If you enjoyed it, follow the link in my signature, there's not much to it now, but I plan to update it regularly