Based loosely on rapper Eminem's escape from poverty and rise to the big time, "8 Mile" lends insight into the world of hip-hop with rawness far beyond "Brown Sugar." There is little polish on the characters, or the look of Detroit and how the musicians/poets rise to the top of their game.

Eminem's real name is Marshall Mathers III; his character's name here is Jimmy/Rabbit. His mother, Stephanie (Kim Basinger), gives people who live in trailer parks a bad name. She does however fit the image of trailer trash to a T. A hard drinker, she has low standards with boyfriends and is a mother destined to have her young daughter removed by the Department of Social Services. Basinger gives an Oscar caliber performance.

Eminem has a hard time holding a job and is managing to keep his new gig at the New Detroit Stamping Plant just by a hair. His friend Wink (Omar Benson) is a wheeler-dealer, whose talk outruns his walk when it comes to his promotional deals. Wink is trying to get an audition for Rabbit to cut a demo CD. He is also working with Alex (Brittany Murhpy) on a portfolio for her modeling career. Future (Mekhi Phifer) runs a club called The Shelter, where `Hip-hop Battles' are performed in front of packed, cheering crowds. Each poet (what every rapper is) battles the other "one on one" for 45 seconds. In the film, this usually was more of an observation and spontaneous signifying contest that was fascinating to follow. Before they perform there is often a stare down, just as in a professional fight before the bell rings in the first round.

One of Rabbit's friends is Chedder Bob (Evan Jones), a not too bright kid who has a brilliant moment late in the film. He's sad in a warm-hearted way that adds depth to each of the characters in the film. Papa Doc (Anthony Mackie) is the reigning hip-hop champion from the battles at The Shelter, and he is Rabbit's nemesis. Other than the predictable showdown between Papa Doc and Rabbit, which is expertly handled, everything in the movie is a pleasant surprise. The sound system in theaters is fantastic and much better than you'll hear on the CD at home. "8 Mile" is the flip side of everything about music in Detroit that the soon to be released "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" is not. Both are excellent films regarding the creation of music and should not be missed.

The sexual chemistry between Rabbit (a nickname given by his mother when he was a young kid because he had buckteeth and big ears) and Alex is electrifying. Brittany Murphy is a true presence on the screen as shown in "Don't Say and Word" and "Sidewalks of New York." Mekhi Phifer reprises his inner city role with an edge similar to what he showed us in "Paid in Full." And although George never thought there was a place for profanity in music, the hip-hop rap in this film uses it appropriately, and not for denigrating women. "Fine," says Pam, "but no kudos for the profanity." "8 Mile" has a lot going for it with the positive aspects of hip-hop; appreciating different types of friendships; understanding guns and gangs, and knowing the boundaries of violence and in general keepin' it real. With the recent deaths of various hard-core hip-hop artists, there is a message here that some folks other than regular moviegoers need to understand.