8 Mile

Curtis Hanson`s “8 Mile” was created in 2002. The urban drama “8 Mile” is an American film written by Scott Silver (IMBD.com).

The film is dealing with the concept of an “American dream” and whether or not it exists. The story revolves around the main character Jimmy Smith, also known as B-Rabbit among his friends. Eminem plays the young upcoming rapper. Eminem or Marshall Bruce Matters is a well know American artist. The film is semi-autobiographical, which mean that some aspects of the plot are based on events in Eminem’s life and early career. The story takes place in Detroit, Michigan.

http://www.strifeofcloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Eminem-8-Mile.jpg

Summary of the plot

The opening scene is in the rap club. The main character Jimmy is preparing for a rap battle. He chokes and is booed of stage.

Jimmy leaves his pregnant girlfriend and moves in with his mother. His going to earn so money so he can make a demo. He is working at the local factory.

He meats and engage in a relationship with Alex, how also is trying to make it across the 8 mile.

Jimmy realizes that music is the only thing for his future. And he is going to make it on his one.

The definite climax is when Rabbit engage in a verbal battle with the defending champion of the competition; Papa Doc. Rabbit ends up victorious.

Setting, Theme and Conflict

The film takes up a lot of important issues. Among them are segregation and the class society. The film demonstrates the obstacles that make the American dream a paradox. It shows how difficult it actually is to make it and become successful. The film demonstrates that everyone doesn’t have the same possibilities to be successful.

Because of his white skin tone, Jimmy has great difficulty trying to land a record deal. Since he is living in the poor black part of Detroit, his chances of making it in the music industry are small.

The title of the film refers to a street in Detroit with the same name. The street is in a way a border between the poor and the rich side of town. The northern suburbs are were the rich white people live. While the poor black people live in the city. The setting is in this area.

The conflict in the film is between the main character and society. The situation for the main character is difficult. Not unlike the other people in the city of Detroit. The city is in an economic crisis due to the de-industrialization. A lot of people are being laid off work, which leads to poverty. A consequence of this is a growth in crime rates.

Jimmy`s family is poor and they live in a trailer. Jimmy stays with his mother. He is desperate to make his life better and get out of the trailer park.

The soundtrack to the movie is Eminem`s “Lose Yourself”. The lyrics of the text are relevant to the plot. They are about taking chances and to pursue a dream.

The theme of the story is, as I’ve mention earlier, the “American dream”.

Does the concept exist or is it just a “dream”. I’ve discussed this in an earlier blog post and I still believe it exists to some extent. The film has the same perspective.

Jimmy makes it out of the gutter by working hard, but his opportunities are faint because of his skin tone and social class. In the film, Jimmy makes it from rags to riches by working for it.

Important Characters (IMDB.com)

Jimmy Smith – Eminem (Marshall Matters)

Stephanie Smith (The mother) – Kim Basieger

Lily Smith (Little sister) – Taryn Manning

Alex - Brittany Murphy

David “Future” Porter – Mekhi Phifer

Cheddar Bob – Evan Jones

·      IMDB.com, 8 Mile, 2003, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298203/ (02.12.12)

·      Suntimes.com, http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20021108/REVIEWS/211080301/1023(02.12.12)

·      Wisegeek.com, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-american-dream.htm, (02.12.12)

·      Loc.gov, http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/american-dream/students/thedream.html, (02.12.12)

·      Forbes.com, http://www.forbes.com/2002/11/11/cx_da_1111topnews.html, (02.12.12)