"The climactic 20 minutes or so represent the most electrifying depiction of rap that the multiplex is likely to see, a torrent of word-slinging packed with atmosphere and ribald drama." Chris Vognar DALLAS MORNING NEWS

Insight

"The sex scene between Jimmy (Eminem) and Alex (Brittany Murphy of "Riding in Cars With Boys") is hot enough to melt the gum under the seats of any theater." Robert Roten LARAMIE MOVIE SCOPE

Love him or hate him, rap artist EMINEM [whose real name by the way is name Marshall Mathers] comes across pretty good in his debut feature film "8 Mile". Now I for one have never been a big fan of 'rap' music in fact I find most 'rap' music to be 'crap' music and that really refers to the words and style because the music behind 'rap' or 'rappin on' is, in many cases, pretty damn good. When it comes to "8 Mile" the movie I found myself fascinated by four things. [a] the settings used, [b] the support cast, [c] Eminem as 'Rabbit' and [d] the soundtrack. For those out there who wouldn't necessarily be to drawn to a film like this my advice is to perhaps experiment a little and take a peek at "8 Mile". If you have teenagers in the house who are fans of the man himself it will allow you to see a side of Eminem that hasn't been exposed before. Dare I say it, one which is in many ways a far more subdued version of that which features on his CD's. Supporting Eminem in "8 Mile" are Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer and Brittany Murphy. All three actors provide characters that standout. Bassinger is Jimmy Smith Jr's [Rabbit] trailer trash mum. Living on the "8 Mile" strip, in a trailer park, in a bleak section of Detroit in 1995. Stephanie Smith is what you imagine as the typical american trailer trash woman and there's no denying Bassinger is certainly worthy of much praise for her performance in this role. Brittany Murphy plays Alex, a manipulative little slut who drifts in and out of Rabbit's life like the tide on a local beach. Murphy is so good as the dirty, double crossing little bitch who isn't afraid to use the 'goods' she has been given. Mekhi Phifer is Future [with a name like that it would seem highly doubtful] Rabbit's best mate who truly believes he [Rabbit], can use his gift for rap to make it out of his dreary, rotten life. Unfortunately the well meaning Future manages to fall out with the Rabbit. All of this is set against a rather bleak backdrop of industrial Detroit, inside Stephanies trailer home and within the clubs frequented by those who adore rap. The culmination of "8 Mile" is an exciting final confrontation to see just who is the best rapper. Its a magnificently orchestrated finale` that will have you bouncin to the beat [or what ever you do at a rap concert] and cheering for Rabbit. Can Jimmy make it to the big time? Will he, like a rabbit, burrow his way out of his boring, crappy current lifestyle? But much more important is the question which will be on the lips of everyone who sees "8 Mile", will there be a sequal? Judging from the ending it looks like there could be, but that can only be answered by Eminem himself. There will be many who are hoping the answer will be a resounding yes and that includes this recent convert to rap. The Story Jimmy Smith Jnr's life is shit. Just when it looks like he's about to get a big break thanks to a battle of the local rap artists, Rabbit [as he's known to his friends] chokes. The words just won't come out, he's spat the dummy big time and now he's a bit of a joke amongst the followers. There's nothing left to do now except head for home and move back in with his mum Stephanie. Stephanies life isn't much better. She's a trailer trash chick, shacked up with one of Rabbits ex-mates who isn't impressed with Rabbit's moving in. Can life get any worse. You betcha it can. The big choker is forced to take a job in a grimey, noisey Detroit factory doing menial work pressing parts out with monotonous regularity. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. His best mate Future believes in his abilities and he has something that may just get Rabbit out of the big rut he finds himself in. The Verdict "A memorable performance by Eminem in "8 Mile" is backed up by a solid exciting support cast and a great soundtrack which includes that great anthem, "Lose Yourself". While there is much to praise in "8 Mile", like Kim Basinger character Stephanie and Brittany Murphy's Alex, all eyes will be fixed on the real star Eminem. What The Critics Say

"Can Eminem act? Who knows? But his star turn in 8 Mile, as an aspiring rapper growing up poor and white in Motown, is memorable -- even if we've seen it all before." Stephanie Zacharek SALON.COM "Eminem wipes away his hubris, revealing a trembling, self-doubting kid on the way up." Phil Villarreal ARIZONA DAILY STAR "Hardcore language. Hardcore excellent film." Chuck Schwartz CRANKY CRITIC® "Some Eminem worshippers may be slightly disappointed to find that '8 Mile' doesn't make full use of his verbal vitriol until late in the game. The payoff, however, is definitely worth the wait." James Sanford KALAMAZOO GAZETTE "Writer Scott Silver and director Curtis Hanson dig deep into the subculture to deliver a terrific movie." Kirk Honeycutt HOLLYWOOD REPORTER " What makes 8 Mile transcend the formulaic nature of its plot is the way it makes these rap competitions compelling even for those unfamiliar with rap music, and its scrupulous, loving rendition of a grim, wintry Detroit circa 1995." Jonathan Foreman NEW YORK POST "8 Mile has an authentic feel that transcends the phenomenon of Eminem; this is a realistic story about a guy trying to use music to escape a dead-end life." Mike McGranaghan AISLE SEAT

The Cast & Crew

Eminem Kim Basinger Mekhi Phifer Brittany Murphy Chloe Greenfield Evan Jones Omar Benson Miller De'Angelo Wilson Eugene Byrd Taryn Manning Larry Hudson Proof Mike Bell DJ Head Michael Shannon Mary Hannigan Anthony Mackie Strike Nashawn 'Ox' Breedlove Na'Keya Snoddy

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Jimmy Smith Jnr[Rabbit] Stephanie Smith Future Alex Lily Smith Cheddar Bob Sol George DJ Iz Wink Janeane Bouncer Lil' Tic Shorty Battle DJ Greg Buehl Mrs Helgeland Papa Doc Lyckety-Splyt Lotto Papa Doc's Girl

Directed by Curtis Hanson Written by Scott Silver Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto Film Editing by Craig Kitson & Jay Rabinowitz Casting by Mali Finn Production Design by Philip Messina Art Direction by Kevin Kavanaugh Set Decoration by Kristen Toscano Messina Costume Design by Mark Bridges Run Time 100 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2003 - United International Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright©2003 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved