8 Mile (2002) on Netflix
In 1995 Detroit, Jimmy Smith Jr. raps as B-Rabbit and wants a career in hip-hop, though he doubts he can make it. A battle at the Shelter ends in humiliation.
- Netflix3.6/5
- IMDb7.2/10355,480 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes75%
Trailer
Plot summary
Jimmy Smith Jr. raps under the name B-Rabbit and works at a Detroit car factory, sleeping in his mother Stephanie's trailer after splitting from his girlfriend Janeane. His younger sister Lily lives there too, along with Stephanie's boyfriend Greg. Jimmy's best friend David Porter, who performs as Future, hosts rap battles at a venue called the Shelter, and Jimmy's friends encourage him while he doubts his own potential. When he finally takes the stage, stage fright takes over and he leaves humiliated. At work, his supervisor Manny rejects his request for extra shifts because of his habitual tardiness. Jimmy also befriends Alex Latourno, an aspiring model headed for New York.
Cast
- Larry Hudsonas Bouncer
- Mike Bellas Shorty Mike
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about 8 Mile (2002)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Director Curtis Hanson hesitated over casting Eminem, fearing the rapper's reputation would sink the film. Russell Crowe, who had made L.A. Confidential with Hanson, teased him about it: "Good idea, Curtis. But who are you going to get to play Eminem?"
- To take the part of Jimmy Smith Jr., Eminem said no to two other films offered to him at the same time, Training Day and The Fast and the Furious.
- Two future comedy leads missed out on the role of Cheddar Bob, Jimmy's hapless friend: Seth Rogen and Jason Segel both auditioned and neither was cast.
- Eminem wanted Mariah Carey to play Stephanie Smith, his character's mother, according to music producer Damizza. Carey said no, and Kim Basinger took the part instead.
- Scott Silver's early drafts had barely any Detroit in them and made Eminem's character a hotel bellboy. Curtis Hanson rewrote the script around the city, moving Jimmy to an automotive stamping plant and resetting the story in 1995.
- For the closing battle, Eminem googled his opponent. He dug up real details of Anthony Mackie's own life and turned them into insults aimed at Mackie's character, Papa Doc.
- "Lose Yourself" made Eminem the first solo rapper to win an Academy Award, taking Best Original Song in 2003. He skipped the ceremony, and co-writer Luis Resto collected the award for him.
