RateItAll: The Opinion Network

this was a great movie and i could watch it over and over again. good acting.

woop that trick get em caches on doesent really a great movie terrince howerd great acter.

Memphis, Tennessee, is a location like any other where poverty and human struggle exist on any level. Some, unfortunately, where born in rough situations while others might have been born with a gold spoon in their mouth. Together with poverty ventures an undesirable travel companion known as criminality that spreads further dismay among the poor. It does not necessarily mean that the poor are criminals, but through criminal activities youth often discover their chance to accomplish their materialistic dreams often induced from television. The director Craig Brewer discloses his vision of a struggling pimp and drug dealer trying to find direction in his life while continue to hustle his business on others in Hustle & Flow. A lengthy introduction of the main character DJay (Terrence Dashon Howard) and his background opens Hustle & Flow, which intriguingly gives the audience an understanding for his situation. It is obvious that DJay is a street smart and intelligent young man, as he in the initial scene gives an existential exposition on the nature of mankind related to his situation. In the light of his philosophical notions one could understand why he is where he is in life, pimping and selling drugs in his neighborhood. In addition, DJay does not get the feeling of satisfaction from his job, but it must be done as he seems to feel some form of responsibility to the women who work for him. Instead DJay dreams of making music and rapping his lyrics, but has never taken the opportunity to try. DJay understands the simple functions of society, as people wish to themselves away from the poverty and never having to return to a life of poverty on any level whether it is a physical visit or through reminiscence. The mindset of avoiding poverty sadly allows for very few, if ever any opportunities for the poor to get out of poverty. However, an opportunity begins with a dream, which must be executed. When DJay meets an old high school friend, Key (Anthony Anderson), he sees an opportunity, but Key is hesitant for the same reason many others are in regards to people in poverty. Key gives DJay a lecture in walking the walk instead of talking the talk through which he wants DJay to understand to accomplish a dream requires much hard work. DJay finds a way to convince Key that he intends to work hard in order to achieve his dream. Together DJay and Key begin to create a temporary home studio where they can record the music that they both love so much. Key also brings in Shelby (DJ Qualls), a skinny guy from the church, who helps out creating a great sound to DJay's lyrics. Much of the second act of the film revolves Key, Shelby, and DJay sitting in the studio trying to find the right sound and the right words to make a hit song. In between rehearsals and musical exploration DJay finds himself pimping and selling drugs to raise the money to make his songs, but it is hard as he cannot raise much money. Setbacks begin to affect DJay, and he must face his own demons through his insecurities and the fear of failing. All aspects of DJay's life begin to affect his music making, but he must remain persistent, or he will fail. Hustle & Flow offers a truly terrific cinematic experience which deals with the notion of having dreams and hopes about the future. Brewer takes this notion even one step further, as he explores the idea of fulfilling the dreams which requires a large amount of hard work. Terrence Dashon Howard turns out to be the perfect actor for the part, as everything he does only makes the film better. To understand the quality of talent that Howard possess, one should understand the vast number of characters that he has performed. Recently, he was in Crash (2004) where he was a wonderful television producer and now comes across as a genuine pimp and drug dealer who has desires to becomes something else.

This movie captures the "Dirty South" like few movies I've seen. Terrance Howard should have won an Oscar for this one. Definitely the best role he's ever gotten, and the best acting he's ever done. Its a true-to-life portrayal of American ambition in the context of the rap game. It couldn't have had a better ending.

If you are easily offended by rap music and don't like to hear a lot of swaring this movie is probably not for you. On the other hand, if you want a rough, uncompromising look at prostitution and breaking into the music industry this movie just might be for you. This is not the story where the poor boy makes it rich because he's a nice guy who simply gave it a shot. Instead its a gritty glimpse of a profession that, while glamorized in today's pop culture, is shown to be dirty and entrapping. It turns out there might be people in this business with emotions and self-asteem, despite the tremendous stresses they experience. If you want a rare story-driven movie, about a subject not often dealt with, give this one a try, but I don't think you can give it a very objective evaluation if it conflicts with your own values and lifestyle.