Hustle & Flow (2005)

Directed by Craig Brewer. Starring Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning, D. J. Qualls, Taraji P. Henson, Paula Jai Parker, Elise Neal, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Isaac Hayes. [R]

Low-rung Memphis pimp and drug dealer Djay (Howard) chases his dream of making it big in the rap game with the help of an old friend (Anderson). Djay is an intriguing, layered character, enriched by the intelligence, drive and hunger Howard brings to the role, but his journey is thinner and more facile (until the concocted twist of fate near the end) than it should be—the gritty texture and hard edge of the early overwritten scenes lead to a virtually conflict-and-setback-free middle act. Although writer/director Brewer is smart enough to realize a rags-to-riches story would be too hard to buy in these trappings, the (interrupted) redemption arc doesn’t really work because neither Djay nor the script provide reasons for the viewer to get behind him with our sympathies, especially considering how the “hos” in his employ are developed and portrayed as misogynistic caricatures; I certainly didn’t buy the romantic interest that abruptly builds between him and the diffident, pregnant Shug (Henson). Oscar-winning song “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp” by Three 6 Mafia.

56/100