Film Review: Hustle & Flow (2005) A-

Date Viewed: 5/31/06
Venue: DVD

Ah yes, Hustle & Flow. I had a blast with this Terrance Howard vehicle, featuring him as a pimp with a dream to become a rap artist. It’s really just a basic ‘follow your dreams’ story, but setting it against the harsh life of Memphis pimp makes Eminem’s little movie look like SpongeBob Squarepants (hey, and I liked 8-Mile).

Terrance Howard absolutely owns the role of D. Jay, our pimp of the hour. He’s menacing when he has to be, but also surprising deep and sympathetic, more in touch with himself and his mid-life crisis than one would expect from, well, a pimp. Disappointed with his life’s pursuits, a serendipitous run in with old classmate and current sound recordist Key (Anthony Anderson), rekindles D. Jay’s musical fire. And with the help of white-boy sequencer Shelby (DJ Qualls), the trio set out to record a demo.

Electricity is the in air as D. Jay and the fellas lay down tracks. Anchored by a great soundtrack (featuring Academy Award winning Three 6 Mafia), the writing/recording of the demo is heart-poundingly inspirational stuff. Organic, real. I felt like I was in the room creating music with those cats.

The film’s final act deals with D. Jay’s attempt to get his demo into the hands of hometown rapper made good Skinny Black (Luda-I’mthebestthingaboutCrash-cris). And what’s a pimp if not a salesman? I won’t spoil how and what goes down, but I walked away satisfied.

Writer/director/John Singleton-protégé Craig Brewer deserves a lot of credit. Sure this is a simple story we’ve all seen dozens of times over, but by taking it to the streets and keeping a gritty integrity throughout, it feels sincere, from the heart. There’s no Spielberg moments or Hollywood glitz awaiting our dreamers, it’s all about keeping it real.