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(About Our Ads) "8 MILE" (2002) (Eminem, Mekhi Phifer) (R) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Heavy Moderate Extreme Moderate Moderate Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Heavy None None Extreme Extreme Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Extreme Moderate Moderate Moderate Heavy QUICK TAKE: Drama: A young rapper tries to compete with the best locals while getting his life back on track. PLOT: It's 1995 Detroit and Jimmy Smith, Jr. a.k.a. "Rabbit" (EMINEM) is a young white man stuck in a dead-end life. After breaking up with his girlfriend, Janeane (TARYN MANNING), he's moved back home into the trailer park with his single, white-trash mom, Stephanie (KIM BASINGER), her much younger boyfriend, Greg Buehl (MICHAEL SHANNON), and Rabbit's young sister, Lily (CHLOE GREENFIELD). Rabbit spends a great deal of time hanging out with his friends Cheddar Bob (EVAN JONES), Sol George (OMAR BENSON MILLER) and DJ Iz (DE'ANGELO WILSON). He also puts up with the urging from another friend, Future (MEKHI PHIFER), to participate in his nighttime rap standoffs where the contestants have forty-five seconds each to put down and verbally defeat their opponents. The last time Rabbit tried to compete, he froze on the stage, much to the delight and taunting of rap champion Papa Doc (ANTHONY MACKIE) and the rest of his "The Free World" crew. Notwithstanding that, local entrepreneur Wink (EUGENE BYRD) wants to help him with his budding career, just like he's doing for would-be author Alex (BRITTANY MURPHY), with whom Rabbit is instantly smitten. While dealing with living at home and working at the local assembly plant pressing car bumpers, Rabbit tries to cope with the internal and external forces that affect his attitude and self-esteem as he tries to get his life back on track and make something of himself. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're fans of Eminem, anyone else in the cast or the rap scene, it's a good bet they just might. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R For strong language, sexuality, some violence and drug use. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: EMINEM plays a young rapper who uses strong profanity, leaves his girlfriend because she says she's pregnant, gets into several fights, has sex with Alex (a girl), shoots a police car with a paintball gun, and commits arson (with his friends). Yet, he's also rather caring for his younger sister, finally becomes a good worker at the plant and wants to better himself. KIM BASINGER plays his poor and single mom who uses strong profanity. She has sex with Greg, hopes he'll get her out of the trailer park and is drunk in one scene. MEKHI PHIFER plays Rabbit's friend who keeps pushing him to use his talents, particularly in the rap challenges that Future emcees. He uses strong profanity, smokes a joint, and shoots a person with a paintball gun. BRITTANY MURPHY plays a young woman who drifts into Rabbit's world. She has casual sex with him and later does the same with Wink. EVAN JONES plays Rabbit's somewhat dimwitted friend who ends up shooting himself in the leg. He also drinks and uses strong profanity. OMAR BENSON MILLER plays another friend who smokes a joint, shoots a building with a paintball gun, and uses strong profanity. DE'ANGELO WILSON plays yet another friend who's outspoken at various social ills facing their community. EUGENE BYRD plays a local man who claims to have connections that will help Rabbit and Alex hit the big time. He has sex with Alex while knowing that Rabbit likes her. TARYN MANNING plays Rabbit's ex-girlfriend who claimed she was pregnant (we never know if that's true). MICHAEL SHANNON plays Stephanie's much younger, white trash boyfriend who's eventually emotionally and physically abusive to her. He smokes and has sex with her. CHLOE GREENFIELD plays Rabbit's much younger sister who doesn't like the volatile situations she observes. ANTHONY MACKIE plays an egotistical champion rapper who doesn't like Rabbit, uses strong profanity and helps in beating him up. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: Here's a brief summary of the content found in this R-rated drama. Profanity consists of at least 200 "f" words and many other expletives and colorful phrases. Sexually explicit dialogue is present, as are three sexual encounters (that include movement, partial nudity and/or related sounds). A man's bare butt is also seen in a nonsexual context. Violence includes several graphic fights and beatings, while a man also accidentally shoots himself in the leg (with bloody results) and some threats are made with guns. Some of that material could be unsettling or tense for some viewers. Various forms of imitative behavior are present (most notably the putdown rap lyrics, but also arson and shooting people and things with paintballs, etc.), various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes, and some tense family material is present. Various characters drink and/or smoke, while a few smoke pot. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Stephanie brings Rabbit a beer. We see a sign for a liquor store. Greg has a beer. Sol smokes a joint that he then passes to Future who also smokes it. Later, we see Future rolling another joint. Some people on the street appear to be smoking joints. A guy drinks from a bottle. People drink in a club where Rabbit and his friends have drinks in front of them. Janeane also has a drink. We see Cheddar carrying a bottle inside a brown paper bag. Various people drink. Wink has a beer. A guy gathers up many empty beer bottles. Stephanie appears to be drunk. Cheddar drinks a beer. BLOOD/GORE We hear Rabbit vomit into a toilet and hear that he got some on his clothes, but we don't see anything. We see blood on a man's pants leg after he accidentally shoots himself. Moments later, we see a great deal of blood on his leg, as well as a bit on Rabbit's face. Rabbit has a little blood on his face after being attacked. Later, he has a black eye and bruises. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE We hear that Rabbit left Janeane when she announced that she was pregnant (but we never know for sure if she really is). He also has bad attitudes toward others throughout the film. People use the terms "dyke," "fag," "faggot" and "fruitcake" in disparaging ways in rap lyrics or their own speech. Various rap contestants use disparaging and threatening lyrics in their songs. Many people make fun of Rabbit for freezing on the stage and being unable to compete in the rap contest. Greg has a bad attitude toward Rabbit and eventually toward Stephanie (he even gets rough with her). Rabbit initially has a bad attitude toward his boss. Future has a bad attitude toward Wink and doesn't believe any of his stories or promises. The guys shoot paintballs at buildings, people and a police car (Rabbit does the latter while hanging out the window of the car he's driving). Rabbit and his friends spread gasoline (or some other flammable liquid) inside an abandoned house and then burn it down (to appease DJ Iz who was concerned about a young girl being raped there). The various members of The Free World have bad attitudes toward Rabbit. FRIGHTENING SCENES Scenes listed under "Violence" might also be unsettling or suspenseful to some viewers. For those sensitive to rape-based material, there's talk of a young girl being raped in an abandoned building, but we never see her or the incident. Rabbit and his friends spread gasoline (or some other flammable liquid) inside an abandoned house and then set it on fire. That fire spreads quickly and Rabbit briefly finds himself trapped on the upper floor (but he escapes unharmed). Members of The Free World retaliate for Rabbit beating up Wink and surround Rabbit. One knocks him to the ground, one punches him and then they all jump in and punch and kick him on the ground (all while Lily watches in horror). Wink then kicks or knees Rabbit in the face. They then throw Rabbit up onto a car, and then pull him off and repeatedly kick him. One then pulls out a gun and holds it to Rabbit's head in a threatening gesture. GUNS/WEAPONS Handgun: Pulled out by a member of the Free World and later used to threaten Rabbit. Handgun: Pulled out by Cheddar, fired into the air and then accidentally used to shoot himself in the leg. We see an indoor gun range (from the outside and in passing). IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "Hold on a f*cking minute," "What the f*ck /are you talking about/were you thinking/are you doing/is your problem?" "Shut the f*ck up," "Crazy m*therf*cker," "Get the f*ck off me," "Can I get some f*cking privacy?" "F*ck you," "What a bunch of f*cking losers," "F*ck this up," "F*cked up sh*t," "F*ck last night," "I'm f*cking serious," "F*ck the free world," "I should f*ck you up," "Get the f*ck out of here," "F*ck it," "Dumb f*cks," "I don't give a f*ck," "You ain't my f*cking father, I'm a grown man," "Rip that sh*t," "Bullsh*t," "Is he sh*tting me?" "This sh*t is ridiculous," "Oh sh*t," "Kick that sh*t," "I don't give a sh*t anymore," "Crazy sh*t," "We are the sh*t," "D*ck right up your ass," "Nasty ass," "Nigger" (said many times by black people), "Bitch(es)" (said many times about women and men), "Quit playing with yourself," "Dawg," "Fat ass," "Dyke," "Losers," "Punk," "Get the hell out of here," "Anything goes when it comes to hos," "Faggot," "White ass," "What the hell /is he talking about/happened to you?" "Fruitcake," "Pissed off," "Jackass," "Go jack off" and "I look like crap." The film could inspire kids to take up rapping, particularly of the combative, putdown variety that's on display here. Rabbit, Alex and various other people give "the finger" to others. The guys shoot paintballs at buildings, people and a police car (Rabbit does the latter while hanging out the window of the car he's driving). Rabbit and his friends spread gasoline (or some other flammable liquid) inside an abandoned house and then burn it down (to appease DJ Iz who was concerned about a young girl being raped there). Rabbit exposes his bare butt at the end of one of his combative raps. A rapper has various tattoos on his body. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) Some songs had lyrics that couldn't be understood, thus offering the possibility of additional potentially objectionable lyrics beyond what's listed here: Many "f" and "s" words are present as are other expletives, lyrics about threatening to shoot others, sexual material and the line "Anything goes when it comes to hos." PROFANITY At least 200 "f" words (26 used with "mother," 2 used sexually as is the term "tapping"), 96 "s" words, 6 slang terms using male genitals ("d*ck"), 4 using female genitals ("p*ssy"), 1 for breasts ("boob"), 30 asses (1 used with "hole"), 6 damns, 6 hells, 1 crap, 6 uses of "G-damn" and 1 use each of "For Christ's sakes," "God" and "Jesus" as exclamations. SEX/NUDITY We hear that Rabbit left Janeane when she announced that she was pregnant (but we never know for sure if she really is). A person yells for Rabbit to "quit playing with yourself" (although he isn't). Rabbit walks in to find his mom having sex with Greg. We hear sexual sounds and see her moving on the man's lap (we also see her bare back and top of bare butt). Greg asks Rabbit whether Janeane is sleeping with someone else. Referring to Greg, Rabbit says that he's "tapping my mom" and that he and Greg are almost the same age. A rapper makes a putdown about a guy being scared of "p*ssy" and thus "lick(s) around the tush." Sol jokes that DJ Iz "doesn't like p*ssy." Alex shows a little bit of cleavage and we see a lot of her thigh in her fishnet stockings. Future jokes that Rabbit has that name since he likes to "f*ck a lot." We see a young woman doing some suggestive dancing around a guy (shaking her clothed rear near his clothed crotch). A person refers to something being like a "d*ck up your ass." Stephanie tells Rabbit (her son) that she and Greg are having problems, and that it's their sex life that's the culprit. He doesn't want to hear any of this and tries to walk away, but she follows him and says that it's good, but that he "won't go down on me." During an abusive, putdown rap, a guy states that another's father should have worn a rubber, that the gay man probably has panties in his suitcase, and "If ten men came into a cup, you'd probably drink it." Rabbit takes Alex (a young woman) off into a deserted part of the factory where the two passionately make out while standing and clothed. Her coat is opened and we see her in her panties and bra (that shows cleavage). His pants then come down and her bare thigh is up along his side. They have sex while standing with movement, sounds and groping (he feels her bra-covered breasts) in shots that alternate between a head and shoulders view of them as well as a close-up of their crotch areas. We also see her lick her hand and then put it down to her crotch (we don't see the actual contact) as they have sex. We see Wink having sex with Alex (he's between her legs as she sits on a counter or ledge with movement). Rabbit exposes his bare butt at the end of one of his combative raps. The "f" word in used sexually. SMOKING DJ Iz smokes several times, while Greg, Future, and Janeane each smoke once, while all sorts of miscellaneous characters also smoke. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Rabbit's much younger sister sees all sorts of domestic strife in their trailer park home where she lives with her single mom, including various verbal and physical fights, and her mom being drunk (which is when Rabbit takes Lily to the neighbors). TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT The rap scene and the combative rap that's on display here. Being the minority in one's surroundings (the white guy here is the minority). Trying to better oneself or at least get out of bad/poor surroundings. We hear that Rabbit left Janeane when she announced that she was pregnant (but we never know for sure if she really is). Arson. Rape (there's talk that some young girl was raped, but we don't see her or the act). DJ Iz's comment that it's always easier for the white man to succeed compared to a black man. VIOLENCE Rabbit throws a beer bottle at Greg (it misses). Rabbit pulls a guy's legs out from under him while that guy stands on a car (resulting in him crashing down onto the hood). A scuffle then breaks out with one of the rival members pulling out a gun (but he doesn't use it). Sol playfully slaps DJ Iz on the back of the head. Rabbit and his friends spread gasoline (or some other flammable liquid) inside an abandoned house and then burn it down. Rabbit punches Wink for working with the Free World. A fight breaks out with various people punching or struggling with others. They stop when Cheddar fires a handgun into the air and then waves it around. When he's persuaded to put it away, he ends up accidentally shooting himself in the leg (with lots of resultant blood). Upon learning of her eviction notice, Greg pushes Stephanie backwards and does so quite hard. In response, Rabbit pushes Greg backwards. After a moment, he does so again and thrashes Greg about the inside of a trailer. He then punches him in the face. Greg then grabs Rabbit by the neck who again punches him many times until Stephanie pulls him off. Rabbit pushes Future backwards. After catching Wink having sex with Alex, Rabbit grabs him and throws him all about a studio. He then repeatedly punches him. Members of The Free World retaliate for the above and surround Rabbit. One knocks him to the ground, one punches him and then they all jump in and punch and kick him on the ground (all while Lily watches in horror). Wink then kicks or knees Rabbit in the face. They then throw Rabbit up onto a car, and then pull him off and repeatedly kick him. One then pulls out a gun and holds it to Rabbit's head in a threatening gesture. Reviewed November 5, 2002 / Posted November 8, 2002