Marshal Mathers

posted on november 10, 2002, tag: entertainment

I'm not really an Eminem fan, I swear. All right, so I've been enjoying some of his latest music. Fine, I like it. But I'm not a fan. I promise. Well, maybe a little. But not enough that I'd see 8 Mile had Curtis Hanson not directed it. Having directed L.A. Confidential, I figured there had to be something good about this project for Hanson to attach himself to it. And there was.

8 Mile was a well done, gritty film with a very "real" feel about it. It was designed following a very typical story arc—everyone thinks he/she will fail, that he/she isn't good enough... and he/she almost gives up, but then doesn't... and in spite of everything, he/she succeeds—but it in no way felt contrived or forced, false or unrealistic. The key to this story is the lack of elements that made Glitter and Rock Star so shitty: a limit to success. Let's face it, you don't always want to see the main character get everything they've ever wanted. And you certainly don't always want to see them get it all at once. What 8 Mile manages to do quite well is fill you with satisfaction of the realistic kind. Eminem's character isn't recording triple-platinum albums at the end of the movie, and he isn't playing sold out shows. The triumph is relative to the situation, and to the fact that this is the life of a guy who is just starting to become who he wants to be.

This movie isn't for Eminem fans (although they'll still like it, I'm sure), this movie is for movie fans. People who like to see a well crafted film. And on a side note, I really want to find a job that will allow me to "duel" at lunch.

Comments

There are 7 comments, comments are closed