Echoes of "Rocky" & "Saturday Night Fever"; Howard is a galvanizing force to be reckoned with

Rating: 9/10 (1 August 2005)

HUSTLE & FLOW (2005) ***1/2 Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning, Taraji P. Henson, Paula Jai Parker, Elise Neal, DJ Qualls, Ludicrous, Isaac Hayes. An amazing film-making debut by rookie Craig Bower focusing on a Southern pimp named Djay (a breakthrough defiantly brilliant performance by the immensely talented Howard that has Oscar written all over it) attempting to break away from his hedonistic lifestyle as a dealer and flesh peddler by becoming a rap artist with the unlikely help from an old high school buddy (Anderson in the best role of his career thus far too), an audio engineer who sees a spark within as well as the friend who has a glimmer of talent too; a white boy musician/techie (Qualls) with a knack for finding hooks, and his hookers Nola (a genuinely surprisingly good Manning), stripper Lexus (Parker) and the pregnant Shug (a heartbreakingly affective turn by the sweet soul of Henson and my pick for Best Supporting Actress) aiding their support and talents to live the dream of a better life. Howard truly is a galvanizing implosive power to be reckoned with and gives off a primal wave of desperation, moxie and genuine need to be a better human being. Echoes of "Rocky" and "Saturday Night Fever" underline the anti-hero's quest but some of the storyline could've used some tweaking especially the subplot involving the homeboy done good rap star played by rap star Ludicrous that borders caricature. Still undeniably affective even if you hate rap (like yours truly). Give it props peeps!