8 MILE (2002)

Starring: Eminem, Kim Basinger
Director: Curtis Hanson
Synopsis: Music-soaked drama set on the borderline between suburban Detroit and the inner city traces the struggle of a young white rapper for respect in the predominantly African-American hip-hop scene. Loosely based on star Eminem's own experiences. (Universal)
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Drama

• 1 of 2 by Kevin Courrier
  Rap artist Marshall "Eminem" Mathers first exploded onto the music scene in 1999 with an insurgent sound that was nihilistic, fearless and controversial, yet also cerebral and playful. In short, he was one of those dangerous artists, and he quickly got under people's skin. Eminem was a full-throated expression of white underclass rage by a young man with an extraordinary gift for words. Director Curtis Hanson, who in "L.A. Confidential" and "Wonder Boys" showed an extraordinary gift for images and stories, has fashioned "8 Mile" as an entertaining fictional biography of Eminem's emergence in the poor part of Detroit. more
• 8 of 10 by Liam Cullin
  The film stars Eminem as Jimmy Smith Jr., also known as Rabbit. This name was given to him either by his mother because as a child he had buck teeth and big ears or by his friends who say he's fast and he likes to fuck a lot. Believe whichever story you'd like. They're both pretty funny. The movie tells the story of the fears and doubts that Rabbit, an extremely talented young hip-hop artist must face and overcome in order to take the next step and get out of Detroit, where the film is set. Hence the film's title - referring to the boundary separating the black and white communities in the Motor City. more