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Volume 40, Issue 6
November 19, 2002
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Film offers soft side of Eminem
By Matt Mueller
For the Mesa Legend
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“If you had one chance, one shot, would you take it?” Rapper
turned actor Eminem did. The result is the movie, “8 mile”.
Eminem’s acting debut tells the tale of Rabbit, a down and out rapper
trying to become something as a white boy growing up in a poor black neighborhood
in the abyss of Detroit.The film is set on the south side of 8-mile road,
the division point of white and black. The plot follows Rabbit’s
struggle to find him self and climb out of the ghetto. Rap is the avenue
out of the slum and Rabbit is trying to hitch a ride. He is stabbed in
the back by nearly everyone he meets, until he finally takes charge of
his life.
A mediocre plot reminiscent of “Point Break” provides the action
for the movie, yet the plot holes leave the audience confused. In all
the blatant expository conversations Rabbit has with his mother, who is
played by Kim Basinger, not once is the nature of Rabbit’s relationship
with the smallest costar specified. Is she his daughter, is she his sister?
The movie watchers are left guessing. The inclusion of the little girl
into the story seems like a shameless public relations campaign.
Eminem’s own real life family relationships have come under fire,
instances of lyrics about killing his ex-wife, who is also the mother
of his daughter have aroused questions about whether Marshall Mathers
is a fit father. The sensitive scenes in the movie seem crafted to change
the rapper’s image from that of a chainsaw wielding entertainer to
that of a loving and proper father.
In heart warming scene, Rabbit defends a homosexual factory worker against
the discriminatory lyrics offered by another of his co-workers, played
by rapper Xzibit. These scenes reek of an effort to quiet much of the
controversy that Eminem has worked so fervently to stir up. The movie
tries to hush the debate over his lyrics, which at times poke fun of the
mentally challenged. One of the kids that are a member in Rabbit’s
entourage has some king of obvious disability, yet Rabbit finds him self
identifying with the character more and more.
This movie is better than expected, more of a modern day Rebel With Out
A Cause. This coming of age story does suffer some holes and character
promotion, yet it is a see-worthy film. The realistic story of the characters
chronicle growing up with nothing, and prove a window into a life many
of society are not privy to. The abrupt ending is surprising and catches
the audience off guard, leaving many hanging for a completion of the emotionally
stocked ending scenes. It does offer a positive message, to make success
happen, not wait for it to happen.
Hip hop fans will be happy as the movie grabs hold, only sometimes slipping,
but more over hits the target right on the head. The battles between characters
will leave every watcher smiling. This movie has proved to be a hit, with
over 54 million gross to date. Certaintly a hit with the genre that counts.
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