‘8
Mile’ embodies emotional energy
By Jack Schneider
On-line Forty-Niner
Jimmy
Smith Jr., aka Rabbit, played by Eminem,
is a rugged individual from a rugged neighborhood.
He constantly battles getting out of Detroit,
finding his own destiny and getting the
respect he deserves. These themes are prevalent
in Universal’s Film “8 Mile,” which was
presented by the Program Council on Tuesday.
Jimmy, a factory worker living in Eight
Mile Trailer Park with his bingo-hungry
mom Stephanie, played dynamically by Kim
Basinger.
Jimmy has the talent to freestyle and battle
with some local rappers at a hang-out called
The Shelter, but he sometimes wonders if
signing a record deal is the right way out
of the frustrations of his life.
Rabbit’s loyal posse includes Future, played
by Mekhi Phifer, an important person at
The Shelter and a companion. Future gives
the encouragement Rabbit needs to step up
to the mic against freestyler Papa Doc.
The quasi-angelic Alex, portrayed by Brittany
Murphy, from “Don’t Say a Word” also gives
Rabbit encouragement. Alex shares some of
the same hopes and dreams as Jimmy, but
other times the two dreams they share end
up being nightmares.
“8 Mile” is a film about finding one’s respect
in life, no matter how many bumps in the
road there may be. The broken and trashy
atmosphere of “8 Mile,” which takes place
in Detroit, metaphorically shows the harsh
environment Jimmy goes through, as well
as the dividing line between black and white
neighborhoods.
The overall acting done by Eminem is primarily
believable, but the movie does get off to
a “Slim-Shady” start. At first we see Jimmy
becoming passive from his rundown life,
but later he begins to release his anger
and frustration, adding a new perspective
on living.
The familiarity of what the real rapper
went through while growing up in the Detroit
neighborhood makes the part of Jimmy seem
clear and honest. The characters portrayed
by Basinger and Phifer bring out Jimmy’s
frustration and anxiety and Eminem knows
how to bring those emotions to the screen
with full-force.
Some might compare Eminem’s performance
to Sylvester Stalone in “Rocky”, or see
the film as an autobiography of Eminem,
but no viewer should look it at in these
ways. Instead, the film releases full emotional
energy and fiercely explores the Detroit
rap scene with deep character.
|
