HUSTLE & FLOW : Film-making Dynamite With The Searingly Good Terrence Howard...

Rating: 9/10 (8 February 2006)

HUSTLE & FLOW
HUSTLE & FLOW, featuring a blazing turn from the enthralling Terrence Howard, is an unexpectedly wrenching movie that moves along at a beat just as pulsating as the music genre it centers around.
The movie wraps you around it's finger with it's opening "calm before the storm" monologue where D-Jay (Howard) sits in his hot Chevy with Nola (Taryn Manning), his best prostitute, talking about the world. You can see this is a man doped up on some drugs while she is as well, but the artistic soul inside of him is clearly trying to push itself out of D-Jay in a way he can't yet grasp. And as soon as the audience sees the core reality and humanity of the character... the beat starts driving the film.
When D-Jay starts to rap, Howard shows you that this isn't a passion slowly coming out of him... it is a tidal wave of frustration, passion, talent, and desperation pounding against a wall of drugs, depression, and disappointment that he has built up for years. Yet, even in his childlike excitement over the new prospects in his life, he can never break free of the lifestyle and situations that life as a pimp has put him in.
This truly is a brilliant performance from Howard and he deserves the attention he has received from the Academy and other critics organizations. But it's also refreshing to know that this ensemble was recognized at SAG. It truly was some of the best ensemble work I've seen in a long time (faaaaaaar surpassing CRASH... which was an example of true ensemble work sure, but this is an example of true ensemble work on a superior level with the talent leaping off the screen). Taryn Manning was especially compelling in her role as D-Jay's "cheif investor". It's a shame no buzz developed around her for a Supporting Actress nomination.
I've read some reviews cite this film as ridiculous... but to me, the life of a Pimp is in some ways "ridiculous". Despite the terrible living situations and rough lifestyle... their lives are filled with over-indulgence in all the wrong things. Sex, drugs, and music.
However, this movie never looks down on the struggle and dream of D-Jay... partially because of brilliant pacing, and very much so because of Terrence Howards searing performance. HUSTLE & FLOW is a genuine surprise. Fully engrossing, heartbreakingly honest, entertainingly open-minded... everything to add up to greatness.
I probably never would have rented it had I not felt required to b/c of it's Oscar nominations. But I am thrilled I did, b/c despite it's lack of "important messages" and "political topics"... HUSTLE & FLOW is one of the best films I've seen this year.
Film-making dynamite.
... A ...