Hustle
and Flow is a terrifically entertaining film and even though the trailers suggest
it might be similar to a movie like 8 Mile, it actually has more in common with
underdog pictures such as Rocky and The Karate Kid.
The
amazing Terrence Howard (who delivered a beautifully nuanced performance in the
provocative masterpiece Crash) soars again as DJay, a pimp with big dreams. While
DJay certainly makes his money in a shady profession, he has aspirations of a
better life for himself and those around him. Upon learning that a man from his
own neighborhood has made it big as a rap star, DJay decides that he has the talent
and drive to make it big as well. Of course, he quickly learns that it takes more
than talent. It takes some good fortune as well. With the help of old school buddy
Key (an outstanding Anthony Anderson), a church keyboard player name Shelby (played
by a nerdy but charming DJ Qualls of Road Trip fame), and a few of his female...employees,
DJay attempts to beat the odds and pursue his dreams.
I
really don’t have enough kind words to say about Terrence Howard. This guy
is the real deal and we’re going to be seeing a lot of him in the future.
His tremendous work and strong conviction takes what easily could have been a
cartoonish role and makes him real flesh and blood. He’s created a truly
memorable character in the form of the flawed but likable DJay. This guy gives
pimps a good name. Howard’s amazing work came as absolutely no surprise to
me as he was equally effective in Crash. Anthony Anderson, on the other hand,
did surprise me. This is a subtle, charming turn, and Anderson has a natural,
breezy way about him that doesn’t really shine through in the usual slapstick
stuff we’ve seen him in in the past couple of years (My Baby’s Daddy,
Barbershop etc.). After watching Hustle and Flow,
I
had an opportunity to see him in another knock out performance in an episode of
The Shield. I underestimated this funny man. He’s got tremendous talent.
DJ Qualls is fun, but I never entirely bought into that hip side. Perhaps that’s
because I’m so used to seeing him as a dork in movies like The Core. Still,
it’s nice to see him trying to break free of that stereotype. Also worth
mentioning are the sensational actresses that populate the movie. Taraji P. Henson
is endlessly sweet as Shug, the prostitute (and back up singer) who becomes the
eye of DJay’s affection. Taryn Manning is terrific as call girl Nola. While
she’s treated as a dumb white girl throughout much of the film, she eventually
proves to have a surprising amount of smarts of her own. I also really enjoyed
Elise Neal’s turn as Key’s understanding wife. While she doesn’t
entirely understand what it is Key is trying to do, she ultimately supports him.
She and Anderson have some wonderful moments in this picture.
The
film was produced by John Singleton (Boyz in the Hood) and directed by new comer
Craig Brewer. Above all, Brewer knows how to work with actors. The comraderie
amongst the cast is completely evident, and this is why the film really works.
Yes, the scenes in which Djay, Key, and Shelby churn out catchy rap numbers (none
more so than the infectious "Whoop That Trick") are dynamic and irresistible,
but it is the human moments that really allow the movie to soar. In particular,
I love the scenes between Djay and his ladies. He treats these women like family
rather than pieces of meat (save for Paula Jai Parker’s Lexus - with whom
he has a personal and turbulent history), dispelling the idea of obvious stereotypes
exposed in movies like the Hughes Brothers’ immensely entertaining American
Pimp. Djay is a fully textured character and comes across as such.
Hustle
and Flow is also a fascinating look into what it takes to get noticed, particularly
in the music world. Sometimes it takes a lot of hard work and sometimes it just
takes a little luck. This film doesn’t back down from showing the ugly side
of celebrity either. A dreamer’s hopes can be taken away just as easily as
they can be bestowed as Djay finds out the hard way when encountering a once common
thug from the hood turned big time rap star (the rapper is played with true swagger
by Ludacris, who also happened to co-star with Terrence Howard in Crash).
Hustle
and Flow steers clear of the gang banging attitude associated with many of the
urban dramas we’ve seen through the years. It has something much more fresh
on it’s mind. One violent altercation does break out during the film, but
what brings it on is most unexpected.
In
the end though, Hustle and Flow is a hopeful film. It’s dramatic, funny,
charming and damned inspirational. With it’s strong performances and gritty
attitude, I’m convinced it will emerge as one of this summer’s surprise
hits
