Director: Curtis Hanson
Stars: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murph
Certificate: 18
Running time: 111 minutes

The 8 Mile Road divides Detroit into two sides: the rich side, and the poor side. It is on the poor side - the black side - that our story takes place. Following the life of aspiring rapper Jimmy 'Rabbit' Smith Jr., played by Eminem in his big-screen debut, this is a story of personal triumph.

After splitting up with his girlfriend, Jimmy finds himself living with his single mother in their cramped trailer-park abode. By day he works in the local steel-pressing factory and by night he tries to work up the nerve to participate in the local rapping 'battles'. His friends all tout him as something of a genius, but the racial prejudice he feels, being a white man trying to make it, results in him not being able to perform in the 'battles'.

Jimmy is torn between his close-knit group of friends and their vision of the route to success, and another acquaintance who seems to be offering a fast-track route to the top. The story revolves around Jimmy coming to terms with himself and the hand that life has dealt him, and how he tries to make best of it.

Eminem is superb as Jimmy/'Rabbit', and much has been said of his performance, and how the story of Jimmy is very similar to his own life. He gives the type of performance that would normally be expected of a seasoned actor, and not someone making their debut. The supporting cast are very much that, as I cannot recall a scene in which the character of Jimmy does not appear, which makes Eminem's performance even more remarkable, as he is essentially carrying the entire film.

Of the supporting players, Kim Basinger is good as his mother, Stephanie, trying to come to terms with alcohol and lack of money, and hoping to strike it rich at bingo. Mekhi Phifer is excellent as 'Future', Jimmy's friend who seems to wear his heart on his sleeve as far as his friend goes, and always tries to see him straight. Brittany Murphy plays Alex, who initially appears to have taken a romantic interest in Jimmy. Ultimately however, we realise she is using Jimmy to get where she wants to go.

As with all cinematic stories of personal triumph, a climactic showdown is required. It is here that Eminem's natural talent come to the forefront, as Jimmy is called to 'battle' against a rival rapper, with a predictable outcome. It is in the closing moments that Jimmy realises what he has to do in order to live his dream, that he has to break free from his companions and do his own thing, if he is ever to make it.

Eminem has reportedly said that he has no desire to act again, as the whole experience was very exhausting. However, with the critical acclaim that he has received, and the box-office takings (over $110 million in 5 weeks), the offers will probably be flooding in. With that in mind, I think that we shall see him once again on the big-screen, and his own words may ring true in the coming months: "Guess who's back…back again…"