By Jeff Kubik
It is written, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” And shall I say unto the Lord, “Oh please, just one? You’ve got to give me at least one!”
Oh Lord, give me the objectivity and humility to review 8 Mile, better known to your flock as “Eminem’s new movie.” Grant me the strength to avoid drawing attention to the fact that a quasi-biography based on a controversial artist ultimately amounts to cross-media image marketing. That means that this movie will sell records because it’s all about a persona–oh Lord.
In your infinite wisdom you know that Eminem’s debut film, directed by Curtis Hanson, is the story of Jimmy Smith Jr. (Eminem), a struggling rapper who dreams of leaving a life of poverty and mediocrity. Living in sin among the crumbling lower areas of Detroit with a crew called “Three One Third,” he dreams of someday using his lyrical gifts to pull himself to fame and fortune.
Allow my tongue to loosen and sing praises, instead of spiteful commentary on the use of film as brand definition. Its story was compelling and intriguing, replete with characters both repellent and likable. 8 Mile has truly created characters whose experiences draw the audience into a world darker than the one it is so used to, allowing a vicarious journey into the underground hip-hop culture of 1995.
It was full of moments with great emotional intensity–envy, loss, lust and hate. Like the Old Testament, oh Great One. Neither were these emotional episodes delivered in the formulaic, trite fashion we, your loyal servants, have come to expect from other movies tailor made for recording artists. For truly, Glitter was spawned of a pit deeper and fouler than any hell.
All thanks and praise to you, for truly you did provide a most excellent naughty sex scene, the likes of which would shame even Sodom and Gammorah.
Surely thou knowest all that is and has ever been, and yet, aren’t you just a little surprised? It is as they have said, for Eminem is indeed compelling… as Eminem, of course. Like a fallen angel, his face knows only anger and sadness, with occasional moments of tenderness, though it too is like unto anger.
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. How can I bring myself to praise such a movie and urge others to partake in it as well? For truly, 8 Mile is an experience that transcends its crass commercial roots.
Amen.