Happy birthday, Sam!

Staying Alive

Daisy and I went to go see 8 Mile Friday nite. As much as I love Eminem, I left the movie feeling unsatisfied. It could have been so much more. But then I realized, that one of the purposes of the movie was to minimalize all the hype. Everyone knows that story is semi-autobiographical, Em was showing that the road to the top was not all exciting and fascinating as some would like to think. And to this end, I love the movie.

Being that Daisy is quite iffy on the whole phenomenon which is Eminem, I was unsure of how she would react to the movie. Success no. 1: Daisy says, and I quote, "I never realized how hot Eminem was." Success no. 2: She points out that Cheddar Bob is quite similar in character and purpose as the doomed Bobby C. in Saturday Night Fever. Just one of those things that make you go "hmm." She opened a whole line of thinking with that one observation. (And for the record, Roger Ebert and his new partner even echoed the whole Saturday Night Fever sentiment. How could I have been so blind???) Below are a few parallels I've come across to validate 8 Mile as the Night Fever for this decade. Warning: If you haven't seen the movie yet, it may spoil a few things or give too much away.

1. Tony dances and enters in dance contests since that is what he does best. Rabbit raps and enters in rap battles 'cuz that is what he does best (when he doesn't choke.)
   
2. Tony has an uninspiring dead-end job as a paint mixer. Rabbit has an uninspiring dead-end job as a factory press operator.
   
3. Both have "strumfy" friends who talk shit and pose but never make anything happen.
   
4. Tony has a useless mother who banks everything on her priest son. Rabbit has a useless mother who banks everything on winning bingo or clinging to a crappy relationship for a settlement check.
   
5. Tony gets misled and played by Stephanie, yet she is an inspiration. Rabbit gets played by Alex, though she inspires him.
   
6. Cheddar Bob is pathetic like a circus monkey who does everything to gain the respect and approval of his "friends." Bobby C is pathetic like a, well, Circus monkey. He, too, does everything to get his friends to like him better. Both end up harming themselves in the process, Bobby C fatally.
   
7. Stephanie will do anything to get Tony to notice her or focus his attention on her. Janine will do anything to become more involved with Rabbit. Both get dismissed for the "inspiring" women.
   
8. Both Tony and Rabbit win their respective competitions. Although we are thrilled for the characters, noone can really understand how this improves their lives any.

I am certain that I did neither movie any justice with this short commentary on obvious similarities. Through this whole spiel the point that I wanted to get across is that 8 Mile is subtle genius, just like Saturday Night Fever. Strumfiness vs. genuine inner strength and drive is always a good topic to explore in any movie with depth. Both achieve this beautifully.