‘8 Mile’ wins some, loses some

John Behling -- Movie Critic

Everyone knows the disastrous consequences that lie in waiting for pop stars who try to make feature motion pictures. Just ask Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, or Sisqo (well, assuming that you can find Sisqo).

So, what makes Eminem’s “8 Mile” different? Well, for starters, Eminem is a different kind of pop star.

Even though his videos overwhelm MTV and his CDs can be found in the collections of millions of teenagers worldwide, Eminem is not a kid’s artist. His music, like his movie, is “R-rated.” But even without his younger audience, “8 Mile” had one of the best openings ever for an “R-rated” film, proving that there is something uniquely appealing about the rapper’s semi-biographical tale.

Jimmy Smith, Jr., or “Bunny Rabbit” as he’s known by his friends, is played by Marshall Mathers, also known as “Eminem.”

Smith is an impoverished twenty-something kid trying to catch a break as a hip hop artist in a dilapidated 1995 Detroit. Smith struggles against his own limitations and this harsh setting to gain the respect, fame and fortune that every young rapper dreams of.

What “8 Mile” brings to the audience is a rich setting. 1995 Detroit is filmed in browns and grays and is textured with shots of desolated houses, abandoned businesses and trailer parks. It also includes Eminem’s fierce performance. The artist’s intensity carries the film through a rather long midway lull. There is also a decent performance by Kim Bassinger as Rabbit’s desperate mom.

But the best aspect of the film by far is the actual rapping, most notably the final “battle.” This is what makes the movie worth watching; a portrait of the underground rap battle scene that still exists today. Unfortunately, between these strong points are gaping holes, weaknesses that make this film fall hard, and limit it from reaching its full potential.

Other than Smith and his mom, there really aren’t any deep characters, or for that matter well-acted characters. Rabbit’s friends are Hollywood stock personalities: the funny/stupid one, the big guy who’s a softie and the smart one.

Even the performance by Brittany Murphy as Alex is confusing and unconvincing. The film’s trailer shows her as our hero’s love interest, and that the two have, or will develop, something meaningful. This doesn’t happen and what is left is an uncomfortable void where the hero’s girlfriend should be in this kind of format film.

Underscoring the film’s most entertaining feature, the rap “battles,” are too many real life battles. Fistfights break out at the drop of a hat as Rabbit beats up his mom’s boyfriend, rival rappers and double-crossing friends. This physical violence almost makes the verbal assaults seem less meaningful. They aren’t quite a substitute for real violence, just a supplement.

Also, this film is heavy handed in its portrayal of kids witnessing violence. It repeatedly shows Smith’s little sister watching violent acts with a horrified expression on her face. One scene depicting this would have been plenty. What is left by these mistakes is a couple of great scenes and a strong performance swamped in a trivial and conventional movie.

Although “8 Mile” has successfully won its “battle” in the box office, it has definitely lost its battle to have any kind of long-lasting effect on me.

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