But 8 Mile is by no means all good. To be sure, it reeks of a public relations move on Eminem's part — that is, Eminem's character maintains a healthy friendship with a gay man and is cordial, even loving, with his mother and sister. Because of the similarities between the plot and the rapper's real life, these storyline aspects seem to your humble narrator to be not-so-covert attempts to cure criticism of past homophobic lyrics and lyrical depictions of maternicide — two prominent reasons why conservatives have their undies in a bunch over his music. Is Eminem trying to appease the conservative crowd? Obviously not; they don't buy his records (even though their kids do, but hell, they don't care about family values). The movie, however, does reinforce Eminem's continuing assertion that his combat prose is an art form, not a celebration of violence for violence's sake. The mere fact of a public relations move, though, takes away some of the movie's credibility, as I can't help but see it more in the light of a cog in the choo-choo train that is the entertainment industry, than a serious theatrical endeavor. Further, for how good Eminem is (and he is good), the fact that the movie is virtually an autobiography of his life detracts to a small extent from his thespian success. Eminem is not asked in 8 Mile to step outside the realm of his own life and assume a role wholly dissimilar from his roots. Recognize that this criticism should not be enough to keep you at home watching Skinemax on a Saturday night. The movie is worthwhile — for further critical analysis read the above-linked reviews by critics who know far more about movies than I.