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Scott Silver and Curtis Hanson’s American drama 8 Mile was released in 2002. Along with Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, Michael Shannon, Anthony Mackie, and Kim Basinger, Eminem makes his acting debut. The movie, which features autobiographical parts from Eminem’s life, centres on white rapper Jimmy Smith Jr., alias B-Rabbit (Eminem), as he attempts to break into the primarily African-American-dominated hip-hop music industry. The name of the song is a reference to 8 Mile Road, which connects the primarily white suburban areas to the north of Eminem’s native home in Detroit, a city that is predominately black.
Both the critical and commercial success of 8 Mile. With $51.3 million in revenue during its first weekend and a final sum of $242.9 million globally, it debuted at No. 1 in the US. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded the album’s soundtrack quadruple platinum certification, confirming its economic success. The movie received multiple nominations and accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 75th Academy Awards for “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, Jeff Bass, and Luis Resto. In 2002, 8 Mile was hailed as one of the year’s greatest pictures by several publications.
8 Mile is now streaming on Netflix
Lose yourself like it's 2002. 8 Mile is now streaming. pic.twitter.com/IvSu4fEmEv
— Netflix (@netflix) September 3, 2023
8 Mile Plot
Jimmy is a wannabe rapper in 1995 who goes by the alias B-Rabbit. Jimmy, a blue-collar worker from a low-income family, has relocated to the dilapidated caravan home of his alcoholic mother Stephanie, his younger sister Lily, and Stephanie’s violent live-in lover Greg, who lives just north of Detroit. Jimmy is concerned about his potential as a rapper despite his friends’ encouragement. Jimmy is embarrassed as he exits the stage after stumbling during a rap battle at a small club called the Shelter one night.
Jimmy finds out that Wink conducts promotional work for his opponents, a rap group known as “Leaders of the Free World,” and this causes his friendship with Wink, who has connections to a record label publicist, to become strained. When Jimmy’s friend Cheddar threatens them with a gun and unintentionally shoots himself in the leg, the fight between Jimmy and his buddies and the Free World crew is broken up. Cheddar lives after being taken to the hospital.
One of Jimmy’s coworkers insults Paul, another coworker, in a freestyle rap during lunchtime at the office, implying Paul is gay. After receiving a favourable response, Jimmy raps a freestyle defending Paul, which boosts his confidence.
Future, Jimmy’s closest buddy and the presenter of the next rap battle encourages Jimmy to get retribution by taking on the Leaders of the Free World there. Jimmy consents, but his supervisor requests that he perform a late-night shift after noticing increased effort at work. Although he concurs, the problem is with the dispute at the Shelter. Jimmy receives a surprise visit from Alex. She bids Jimmy farewell, expecting to meet him at the Shelter later. She is leaving for New York. Jimmy feels inspired to fight because of this. As a favour, he asks Paul to take over the beginning of his shift while Jimmy is at the war.
Jimmy will face one member of the Free World crew in each round of the rap battle. He meets Papa Doc after easily defeating Lyckety-Splyt and Lotto in the first two rounds. Jimmy takes the initiative and acknowledges his own “white trash” heritage and challenging existence to head off any potential comments from Papa Doc. By revealing his rich upbringing, including his attendance at a private school in a wealthy suburb, his upbringing in a stable two-parent home, and the fact that his name is Clarence, he closes his fight by refuting Papa Doc’s reputation as a thug. Papa Doc turns the microphone back to Future, admitting defeat since he is embarrassed and has nothing to say in defence.
Alex and his pals congratulate Jimmy, and Future then offers Jimmy a job co-hosting fights at the Shelter. Jimmy rejects, explaining that hosting is Future’s thing and that he has to focus on his own business, and he then departs to get back to the office.