CORPORATE LINE: “Hustle & Flow” is the redemptive story of a streetwise Memphis hustler trying to find his voice and realize his long-buried dreams. Though DJay (Terrence Howard) has always had a way with words, that gift has long been misused; this philosopher-hustler lives a dead-end life at the fringes of society. Anything more feels out of reach. Still, DJay wonders what happened to all the big dreams he had for his life. A chance encounter with an old friend, Key (Anthony Anderson), a sound engineer who has always wanted to make it in the music business, spurs DJay: if he’s ever going to make his mark, it has to happen now. He begins to write down his freestyle raps – his flow – and the two team up with Shelby (DJ Qualls), a church musician with a beat machine, to lay down bass-thumping crunk tracks. DJay’s metamorphosis affects his entire house, as the women in his life – Shug (Taraji P. Henson) and Nola (Taryn Manning) – find ways to contribute to the creative process. With the impending visit to Memphis of hometown platinum-selling rapper Skinny Black (Ludacris), DJay has to make one last hustle if he’s ever going to flow. Winner of the Audience Award at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, “Hustle & Flow” is produced by John Singleton (“Boyz N the Hood,” “2 Fast 2 Furious,” “Four Brothers”) and Stephanie Allain and written and directed by newcomer Craig Brewer.
THE GOOD: Terrence Howard is outstanding as DJay a pimp who chases his dream of being a rapper. Howard plays every bit the hungry artist who won’t stop until he makes it. There is an energy that you get sucked into.
The cast is stellar. There is a great mix of humor and toughness. Anthony Anderson turns in a great role as the sidekick. Taraji P. Henson who plays a pregnant hooker gives you goosebumps with her reaction from singing on DJay’s track.
THE BAD: There is the occasional misstep—it’s not perfect. Thankfully Hustle & Flow moves along well and never gets lost in its own intensity.
FRANKLY: The feverish pace of Hustle & Flow keeps your eyes glued to the screen because you don’t want to miss whatever might come next. Certainly there are areas that don’t flow well but this is mostly a fantastic movie.
+ Charlie Craine
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