won't appeal to everyone, but quite a showing nonetheless

Rating: Null/10 (3 April 2020)

Terrence Howard is powerfully good in a gritty, layered performance as a cutthroat Memphis street pimp and dealer who's only ever known one life, and is trying his best to squeeze a dollar out of a dime. A chance encounter with an old school friend helps him realize he's at a crossroads, and he takes a one in a million shot to escape his dead-end existence through the world of hip hop. By exploring the harsh realities of the street life this expectedly contains plenty of less than flattering subject matter, but underneath all the dirt and grime is a gripping story of hope and inspiration, with some hype musical numbers and strong acting. Howard's tour de force showing is definitely the highlight, but the film is also a good showcase for Henson as the broken woman who catches his eye. ***