(rated R, 108 mins) “I think you have an attitude problem”, is an understatement in this highly charged Detroit story (1995), following Jimmy “Rabbit” Smith (Eminem), not in an autobiography, but in a definition of hip hop. Pouring his anger into music, the highly talented and believable Eminem (of course he IS playing himself), shows the world, that despite a useless tramp mom (Kim Basinger), a pregnant girlfriend and a been-with-every-guy-in-the-neighborhood muse, Alexis (Brittany Murphy) he can find internal peace, by using rhyme to reason his way out of a trailer park trash existence. His pals (all called ‘Dog’) are lead by a dreadlocked ‘dog’ David Porter (Mekhi Phifer) who pits Eminem in Championship boxing style matches using a microphones instead of gloves, against other rapper hopefuls. Oscar winner Curtis (L A Confidential) Hanson and Oscar winner Brian (A Beautiful Mind) Grazer team to bring a brilliant story that translates to fun, of behind the scenes ghetto with this ghetto Cinderella. The only problem is the story ends before we get to see him get the glass slipper. And, its rated R, because of intense language, which is a shame, since half of Eminem’s audience is mainly under 17.
