Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans
Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans
2005 Movie
Dir. Craig Brewer · United States of America · English
Terrence Howard transforms a midlife crisis into music in this unexpected underdog drama
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.
With help from his friends, a Memphis pimp in a mid-life crisis attempts to become a successful hip-hop emcee.
"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
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 nom
Golden Globes
1 nom
SAG Awards
1 nom
Spirit Awards
1 nom
Sundance
2 wins
Nat. Board of Review
2 wins
NYFCC
1 nom
LAFCA
1 win
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
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