most original and brilliant movie of the summer!

Rating: 10/10 (23 July 2005)

I do not get blown away like this often, but Hustle & Flow is a perfect piece of cinema. Don't shy away from this one because there are pimps, drugs, hookers, and strippers. Terrence Howard is the soul of Hustle & Flow, and his portrayal of a Memphis pimp who discovers a passion for rapping is Oscar worthy. Every character is dead-on believable and every word spoken is poetry. I don't care if they're being stupid, funny, gritty, sarcastic, or violent, every ounce of this dialogue is delicious.
Describing the downside of his job to a prostitute named Nola (Taryn Manning), Shelby (DJ Qualls), a vending machine stuffer, says, "I always smell like sticky buns and Skittles." The hooker replies, "Wow, and I thought my job sucked." That's just funny! The whole movie, though, isn't so light-hearted. The drama definitely knocks you down, but the music keeps you going. I usually don't even like rap music, but I loved the music in Hustle & Flow because I understand where it comes from, and I care about these characters. In a summer full of uninspiring remakes, this movie reminds me that creativity and brilliance is still alive and well...if not in Hollywood, then at least in Memphis!