Stellar work, but very R-rated!

Cast: Eminem, Kim Bassinger, Brittany Murphy, and Mekhi Phifer.

Music and film have always had a kinship that has raised the greatest offerings above the fold. From John Williams' Star Wars theme, to Kenny Loggins "Footloose", to Titanic's "My Heart Will Go On" (by James Horner and Will Jennings - performed by Celine Dion) the generations of each are drawn not by the great acting or chart topping singles that are combined in movies. What connects in the box office is the recognition that we all look for a song that says what we couldn't express on our own. When we find that in a movie, when song and acting connect in a way we deem 'real', we hold that moment as true 'art'. Director Curtis Hanson's recent film, 8 Mile, is exactly that type of film.

Anyone who has seen this film, and watched it to learn, has been ripped by the power of the art form. The story line is classic: gifted young man rises above self-doubt and painful life to conquer his foes and fears. Cinderella in 1995 Detriot. I doubt Enimem wishes much to be called Cinderella, but what is told in 8 Mile exposes a story that is just as transformational. I am musician, but I have to admit that before I watched this movie, I had little appreciation or understanding about rap, it's origins or its outgrowths in the 90's. After watching 8 Mile, one could hardly stand in the torrent of such a story without looking for more history and context. Apparently (to this naive observer), a whole world exists here in US inner city cultures that not only contains a violence-washed lifestyle, but has birthed a new music. Rap is not only a very creative song form, my guess is that in a few hundred years it will be hailed as a completely revolutionary time in music from which the only new form of literary/poetic expression was created since modern music began with the slaves in colonial America.

As a story, 8 Mile is the legacy down-and-out to up-and-coming ballad. As an artistic work, this movie might be too revolutionary, too much of a culture shock for wide spread acceptance on many other levels. But those who dare to let the actors and actresses be real, this story is fantastic. Enimem plays the trepid character 'Rabbit' in this film. His character rivets through life, without the usual father-to-blame hate-filled motivation. Instead, he lives primarily in search of his own sense of being- whether good or bad. It is that raw honesty that fuels this film. Kim Bassinger plays the stereotypical, but believable, middle-aged strung out mother. Her character lives in hope of real love, but only finds younger, abusive men in her path. The last major character is Alex (played by Brittany Murphy), the seductive love interest who doubles as the good/bad pivot point to the story.

If you can stomach the extremely harsh language, pervasive sexual references and situations, and occasional violent outbursts, this film is likely to be already one of your favorites of all time. For all those who have already checked out of American culture, deciding to leave your rememberances with another era- I challenge you to see this film. You won't like the harsh scenes, but I guarantee you will learn from the story these people are telling. For once, it isn't a self-agrandizing rise to the top. As parlayed by the final climatic 'rap duel' scene, this movie is about revealing your worst, not showing your best. And finding out if that is enough. It was enough for me. From our nuclear movie ratings system, I give this film a top rating of 5 atomic warheads. Go blow yourself up!