Not just another story of urban tough guys, but a fresh take on music movies and widely hailed as a modern day On the Waterfront or Rocky.
Sticky and gritty as a hot day on the streets, Hustle and Flow has the raw feel of real people leading desperate lives. DJay (Terence Howard), a Memphis pimp with a philosophical bent, opens the film musing with the bored young prostitute next to him on the front seat of his car. Tell me what it is you wanna do with your life, says DJay, dragging on his cigarette. And that’s the question that runs through Craig Brewer’s film what can you do with the life fate has dealt you.

Becoming a rap star is Djay’s answer and with an obliging friend with sound equipment and his own dreams, Key (Anthony Anderson), helps DJay put his words to music. With the chorus sung by the very pregnant Shug (Taraji P. Henson), the music is catchy and compelling. Performances by Terence Howard, Anthony Anderson, D.J. Qualls and Ludacris are resonantly authentic and are matched well by the women. Taryn Manning (a rap singer herself who played Eminems ex-girlfriend in 8 Mile and whose band features on the soundtrack of that movie) is astounding as the nave Nola, discovering what it means to be In Charge, while Taraji P. Henson’s sweet Shug and Paula Jai Parkers acerbic Lexus are equally powerful women with their own voice.

Shot with a dirty-bleached look that seems overlaid with a film of sweat, Hustle and Flow is a terrific first film for director Craig Brewer. Not in the least sentimental, its edgy, suspenseful pace marks individuality in both characterisation and script.

“Brewer lays down a rousing story that crescendos naturally with its characters transformations.” Hollywood Reporter

“Craig Brewers first feature film is a volatile mixture of slickness and sincerity, hard-edged naturalism and sheer show-business hokum.” A.O. Scott, New York Times.