<P> Filmed mostly on location in Detroit and its surrounding areas, the film was both a critical and commercial success . Eminem won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself ." </P> <P> In 1995 in Detroit, Jimmy "B - Rabbit" Smith Jr . (Eminem), a blue - collar worker from a poor family, struggles with aspects of his life . He has moved back north of 8 Mile Road to the run - down trailer home in Warren, Michigan of his alcoholic mother Stephanie (Kim Basinger), his little sister Lily (Chloe Greenfield), and Stephanie's abusive live - in boyfriend Greg (Michael Shannon). Although encouraged by his friends who hail him as a talented rapper, Jimmy worries about his potential as a musician, due to his lack of confidence . Such anxiety causes him to falter during a rap battle one night at a local venue called "The Shelter", and he leaves the stage humiliated . </P> <P> Jimmy works at a car factory . When he asks for extra shifts, his supervisor laughs and dismisses his request on account of his habitual lateness . Jimmy befriends a woman named Alex (Brittany Murphy). Over time, Jimmy begins to take more responsibility for the direction of his life . When he exhibits an improved attitude and performance at work, his supervisor grants him the extra shifts he requested . </P> <P> Stephanie receives a notice declaring that, because she cannot afford to pay the rent on her trailer, she and her family must vacate the premises immediately . Despite Stephanie's best attempts to keep the eviction notice a secret, Greg finds out about it . A brutal fight ensues between him and Jimmy, and Greg leaves Stephanie for good . Jimmy's friendship with Wink (Eugene Byrd), a radio DJ with ties to a record label promoter, becomes strained after he discovers that Wink does promotional work for Jimmy's rivals, a rap group known as the "Leaders of the Free World ." At one point, Jimmy and his friends get into a violent brawl with the Leaders, which is disrupted when Jimmy's friend Cheddar Bob (Evan Jones) pulls out a gun and accidentally shoots himself in the leg; he survives but is confined to crutches . </P>

Who plays rabbit's girlfriend in 8 mile