Hustle and Flow is spectacular

Rating: 10/10 (4 April 2006)

One need not come from the south, live the life of a pimp or prostitute or even like rap music to really appreciate Hustle and Flow. Terrence Howard as D Jay leads a blissful cast, including Taraji P. Hensen as the pregnant woman who loves him, Taryn Manning, the woven-haired Repunzel that looks up to him, Anthony Anderson who believes in him, DJ Qualls who spins the beats that help to make him, and Ludicrous, the made rapper who's rejection makes him stronger. Howard masterfully capturing every nuance of one man's personal anguish to break out of the game and rise above it through the raw beats of rap, the newer blues. Congrats too to writer/director Craig Brewer for his talent and tenacity and John Singeleton for his faith in such a touching tale of desperation and hope.