Socialist Party Australia - Eminem: 8 mile reviewed

Nicki Jonas reviews 8 Mile

Eminem: 8 mile Review of film The movie 8 mile is a fairly simple story about a working class kid, Jimmy Rabbit, struggling to make it as a hip hop emcee. From growing up in a trailer park, to the shit job he can't leave, he's a white kid trying to get hooked up in a predominantly black hip hop scene. The movie is based loosely on Eminem's life but like anything that comes out of America's mainstream cinema, you gotta take some things with a grain of salt. Jimmy Rabbit is portrayed as a saint. This is certainly a huge personality leap from the obnoxious off screen character that stirred the moral code of middle America- Slim Shady. Where Eminem spits anti gay punchlines, Jimmy Rabbit proudly defends an openly gay co-worker in a lunchtime battle at the factory. The misogynist who fantasises about murdering his wife is transformed on screen into a naïve romantic. By creating different identities Eminem plays the rightwing media to his advantage and brilliantly illustrates how fickle it is. The mainstream pounced on the 'shocking lyrical content' in The Slim Shady LP printing thousands of headlines protesting against the corruption of America's young minds. For Eminem this resulted in overnight fame. Four years later with the blockbuster release of 8 Mile, Eminem has stepped into the gentle character of Jimmy Rabbit, a boy with a simple dream, and all the homophobia, misogyny and domestic violence is forgiven. Eminem's commercial success raises the issue that despite 30 years of black hip hop talent, it wasn't until a white rapper appeared on the scene that suddenly it seized the ear and won over the hearts of America- and subsequently the world over. Such blatant prejudice highlights that racism is still an inherent part of capitalism. Eminem, now wielding a huge influence over thousands and with the media at his fingertips could easily use this platform to point out the injustices in the music industry. The battle scenes are the real deal and my advice is to see it on DVD if you can- it contains all the unrehearsed live footage in the bonus viewing. Though not an outspoken film, 8 Mile is definitely worth a look -no matter what you have to say about the controversial rapper it's undeniable that he's got serious skills and is not afraid to step up and prove it.