Review of Hustle & Flow (2005) by Danny O — 09 Sep 2009

A surprisingly effective film anchored by some strong performances and driven by the universality of the 'American Dream'. Terence Howard plays a refreshingly 3-dimensional character full of warts and fatal flaws, but also vision, talent, and a tour de force personality that makes him wonderfully vital. Following his amazing guest work on 'The Shield' (perhaps the best drama series of the past decade), Anthony Anderson can hardly surprise me anymore, but he was still really good here. Howard's live-in 'hos' - played by highly impressive Taraji P. Henson and the immensely watchable Taryn Manning, complete a central acting quartet that provides the heart and soul of the film.

The music is ridiculously catchy, and delving into the creative process of the hip-hop game is surprisingly fun and engrossing, even if some moments felt very 'Hollywoodized'.

Ludacris acquits himself nicely as Skinny Black despite his stupid rapper name and even more stupid dental grills. To be fair, he is one of the better rappers when it comes to acting (and when it comes to rapping, too). His scenes with Howard's DJay are absolutely amazing, as our hero goes the full length to earn his Oscar nomination with a brilliant brand of salesmanship that shies from contrived to become real and exciting. I knew things were going to go south, but was personally vexed at the way that unfolded (though it did flesh out a marginally interesting facet to Howard's character). But I was pleasantly surprised and even delighted by the aftermath of this, and the film left me buoyant and bumpin' cos, when you keeps it real, you've gots to admit: it's hard out here for a pimp.