(2004) 3.5 Derek Armstrong Even more than its thematic cousin, Curtis Hanson's 8 Mile, Hustle & Flow harnesses the grungy essence of grass-roots hip-hop -- the kind produced in basements and garages -- and filters it through one of 2005's most intense performances. From his throwback 1970s title card onward, writer/director Craig Brewer has produced a blisteringly hip breakthrough, one that's as capable with iconic images as it is with penetrating a deeply complex antihero. Playing that central figure is Terrence Howard as Djay, a revelation of simmering menace, whose desire to escape his daily pimp-and-ho grind is a physical force. As coldly efficient as his methods are, this is clearly a man with a conscience, a stern yet secretly caring father figure to the stable of prostitutes who live in his Memphis bungalow. The poetics of his street philosophies -- unobtrusive soliloquies in Brewer's dialogue -- naturally dovetail into the necessary rhythms and life experiences for rap. As he gathers a motley group of collaborators, the music takes shape with a booming and vibrating gristle that is absolutely invigorating. Inspired by the overnight fame of another local street figure, Djay channels his gifts of persuasion into everything from acquiring sound equipment to quieting the neighbors during recording. The supporting performances add whatever Brewer and Howard cannot. DJ Qualls excels as a talented white mixing geek whose street posturing actually ends up seeming cool. Anthony Anderson clearly relishes a well-deserved respite from contemporary blaxploitation comedies, yet still joins with Qualls to contribute the film's significant doses of humor. Even rapper Ludacris is good as Skinny Black. But sharing the soul of this film with Howard are women: Taryn Manning's Nola, whose braided-blond tough girl just wants a little validation, and Taraji Henson's Shug, who finds her own fragile relevance through the music. The rare MTV Films release that actually uses songs as enthralling and indispensable ingredients, Hustle & Flow is an unqualified shot of cinematic adrenaline, that studio's best film since Election.

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Hustle & Flow (2004)

Hustle & Flow

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Violence
Brief Nudity
Adult Situations
Not For Children
Profanity
Sexual Situations
Drug Content

genres

Drama

sub-genres

category

Feature

directed by

Craig Brewer

countries

USA

release date

July 22, 2005 (USA)

run time

114 min.

produced by

Crunk Pictures, Homegrown Films, New Deal Entertainment

released by

MTV Films, Paramount Classics

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	Title/Studio	Release Date
	Hustle & Flow Paramount More	February 2, 2010

	Hustle & Flow [Blu-ray] Paramount More	February 2, 2010

	Hustle & Flow [Blu-ray] Paramount Home Entertainment (Canadian) More	March 17, 2009

	Hustle and Flow [Blu-ray] Paramount Home Entertainment More	January 19, 2009

	Hustle and Flow [Blu-ray] Paramount More	June 26, 2007

	Hustle and Flow [HD] Paramount More	June 26, 2007

	Hustle and Flow Paramount Home Entertainment More	March 20, 2006

	Hustle and Flow Paramount More	January 10, 2006

	Hustle and Flow Paramount More	January 10, 2006

	Hustle and Flow [UMD] Paramount More	January 10, 2006