8 Mile

Director Curtis Hanson stated that his goal with this film was to depict the identity struggles faced by young people growing up in challenging, even violent surroundings, lacking traditional role models. The movie isn't primarily aimed at teenagers—it's rated R (17 and up) in the US. Looking at the average age of voters, you can see the difference a more lenient 13+ rating makes! (And for the record, this isn't a musical, aside from the credits—there aren't even any songs.) The crude lyrics and shallow portrayal of sexuality may be off-putting. But looking deeper, I believe the story sheds light on the self-destructive, futile world of hip-hop culture. We connect with Eminem's character not for his inner fury, justified or not, but strangely because of his vulnerability, his tenderness (with his little sister, for instance), and his insecurities. That's what makes him relatable.