Not everyone gets to go after their ambitions without any reservations, but everyone is free to dream. Hustle & Flow depicts a unique midlife crisis of a pimp that’s been in the game for too long, but while the premise somewhat seems superficial, the way writer-director Craig Brewer depicts it is not. It takes familiar plot points, but understands the more realistic consequences after. It recognizes ambition, not as a pipe dream, but as a means of ordering one’s life. It’s because of this that the cast gets to delve deeper into their roles, with Terrence Howard still garnering sympathies for DJay despite his initial profession. And it helps that the songs aren’t terrible either. While not perfect, Hustle & Flow is a familiar underdog tale, with a novel twist to its beat.
"When Brewer, Howard, and Ludacris stick to the bitter texture of South Memphis failure and success they produce a modest regional portrait that could become a classic of its kind."
— David Denby
"Hustle & Flow certainly is among the emotional, uplifting feel good films that folks love to watch more than once."
— Wilson Morales
With help from his friends, a Memphis pimp in a mid-life crisis attempts to become a successful hip-hop emcee.
Tired of the life he’s been living, middle aged DJay takes an unexpected pivot from Memphis pimp to hip-hop emcee.
Terrence Howard is excellent here.
That being said, Nola and Shug better get a cut of the royalties.
Oscars
1 win, 1 nomination
Golden Globes
1 nomination
SAG Awards
1 nomination
Spirit Awards
1 nomination
Sundance
2 wins
Nat. Board of Review
2 wins
NYFCC
1 nomination
LAFCA
1 win
