Call this the Eminem Show: the early years. Loosely based on the lyricist's pre-platinum days in Detroit rap city, the gritty hip-hop fable gives you a chance to discover what fuels the star's vocal vitriol. Em plays Jimmy "Bunny Rabbit" Smith, a machinist who lives with his down-and-out mother (Kim Basinger) in a trailer park, has trashy girlfriends and is the target of a rival crew. He sees his rhyming skills as a ticket out, but first he's got to get over his stage fright at the local underground rap battles. (Not-so-spoiler: He does.) While it isn't a stretch for Mr. Mathers to play a word-slinging disenfranchised youth, his charisma is undeniable. The strong supporting cast (Kim Basinger and Mekhi Phifer, despite the bad dread job) keeps it cool, while director Curtis Hanson's handheld camerawork keeps the dingy city looking real. 8 Mile goes the distance, and it proves that not every musician turned actor goes down a road paved with Glitter.