Set in 1990s Detroit, Eminem stars as Jimmy Smith Jr., aka Rabbit, in 8 Mile—a gritty and realistic underdog story in the hip hop scene.
Loosely based on the events of Eminem’s life before fame, the story follows a talented rapper who can never find the courage he needs when he reaches the microphone on stage.
From the second the movie starts, we’re face to face with Eminem’s piercing stare in the mirror of a run-down bathroom as he attempts to build up the confidence to battle another rapper. But it’s worthless when he finally faces the crowd that’s already booing him and an opponent who makes quips about his insecurities.
As the story progresses, his confidence slowly does as well. We see Rabbit beginning to jump into rap battles and freestyle even in the worst circumstances—including finding his mom sleeping with someone his age in their trailer. These moments of music are where the film shines. In the midst of all the rivalries and the drama, the music is what Rabbit always turns to. It’s the heart of the movie.
We get small snippets of Rabbit’s talent but nothing comes close to the climax when he comes face to face with the antagonists of the film, a gang known as Free World, and kills them one by one—via rap battle of course. It’s debatably the film’s most memorable scene that combines Eminem’s natural lyricism and a character that finally finds his voice after practically puking at the thought of rapping in front of people.
Although the film conforms to a predictable narrative story—rags to riches and all that—the music is that special ingredient that sets it apart. It’s not the main part of the film by any means, the focus is Rabbit’s underdog journey, but it’s infused in it just enough to keep us hooked until the end.
This journey as Rabbit struggles to the top and escapes his home on 8 Mile Road is one that we’ll never get tired of even 20 years after its release—that and the film’s Grammy and Oscar-winning original song “Lose Yourself.”
His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy…
Carla Rubio is an English major on the Writing and Rhetoric track with intentions of going to law school. Film studies to her is something to look forward to in the midst of all the essays and cases and research papers.