The movie 8 Mile was one of the most successful movies of the year 2002. The movie is supposed to serve somewhat as a bio for the incredible rap artist Eminem and his journey through Detroit to get to the top. However I think the movie’s Detroit is different from the real Detroit.

            The Shelter in the movie definitely captured the freestyle battle grounds of what is known in Detroit St. Andrew’s. Countless battles were held there in the basement of St. Andrew’s. I also believe 8 Mile captured the Detroit rap artists well. During the of Eminem’s journey through hip hop, his battles became legendary. In the movie, to triumph over Eminem rappers pulled the “race card” to win. Rappers did the same thing in the real Detroit. At the Hip Hop Shop in the 1990s, Royce Da 5’9”, however did not lose to Eminem but demolished him after pulling the “race card” to win the battle he almost lost.

            In the movie you can also notice the atmosphere of the environment in Detroit. Burned down buildings and houses are everywhere in Detroit. In the real it is the same also. After the riots of ’67, buildings were left torched and standing, if possible. Rapes and crime are also high in Detroit and I think they added that to the atmosphere of the movie. There’s a scene where the characters talk about a little girl getting raped in an abandoned building by a crack head. These horrific crimes occur in Detroit more frequently than many cities.

            The movie also captures the Detroit-Suburb dividing line which is known as 8 Mile. However, across this dividing line, trailer parks are not seen at all. I think Eminem just wanted to touch on the idea of the poverty he came from and where his rise to fame began. Also in the movie, The Chin Tiki was their playing grounds. However, I have seen the Chin Tiki downtown and it is abandoned and has fire damage. On the other hand, I do not know when this once party hotspot stopped its business.

            I think 8 Mile captures the image of Detroit. Though some differences steer away from the movie’s depiction, the setting and the atmosphere of Detroit in the movie gives truth to the Detroit of the 1990s and even today.