8-mile, Eminem’s film debut, hit the box office with the same forceful spirit as the rapper/actor possesses himself.

Eminem plays Jimmy Smith, Jr. (a.k.a. Bunny Rabbit), a somewhat lost, yet hopeful and inspiring rap artist.

While B. Rabbit waits on his big record deal, he struggles with the life in Detroit, and even more specifically, 8-mile Road.

Hence, the name of the movie.

Most of the movie consists of Rabbit’s hardcore life and the road he takes to change it. The story line is not only interesting, but it also offers an immense amount of sarcastic humor that is almost impossible to top in real life situations.

Through the trials and tribulations of a talented guy who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, we not only see the power of self-expression, but we also see the influences, good or bad, that a family life can play on someone.

8-mile Road, a dividing line in Detroit that separates the good from the bad, is where Eminem actually grew up.

That’s not the only similarity to Eminem’s life. The film is actually a semi-autobiographical piece about the artist. The film included several important details of his life including the role of his mother, his role in impromptu rap battles and. his love for his sibling.

Kim Basinger portrays Rabbit’s mother, who has many similarities to the description Eminem gives to his own mother.

She’s portrayed as an unfit parent who worries more about her love life than she does her children.

The impromptu rap battles are perhaps the most humorous part of the film. Although Rabbit freezes in his first battle, he comes back in “true Eminem style” with catchy sarcasm that is sure to make anyone either cringe or smile.

On the 8-mile web site, Eminem said, “I remember if I lost a battle, it would be like my entire world was crumbling. A lot of people would say ‘What’s the big deal? Get over it. You lost, try again.’ But I would feel like my whole life was over. It’s competition. It’s like a sport that is somebody’s whole life. It may look silly to a lot of people, but to a lot of us, it’s our world.”

His sibling in the movie, played by Chloe Greenfield, witnesses many of the bad things that happen to him. In real life, Eminem does not have a little sister, but a brother named Nathan. Many appearances on television have shown the close ties Eminem feels with his brother, and in interviews, he has even said that one day his brother will feel the same way about his mother as he does.

The soundtrack is a detail of the movie that must be mentioned. Just trust me on this one. If you like the movie, you’ll like the music. Buy the soundtrack!

All in all, I just had to give this move a five of five. No, it’s not just because I’m literally an Eminem freak. But because it contains great acting from a debut actor, cool humor and music that you can’t resist to at least tap your foot to.