Hustle & Flow: A Movie Review
By Keith Boykin, in movies
Friday, July 22 2005, 12:08AM
Pimping ain’t easy. That’s the central theme behind “Hustle & Flow,” the story of a small-time Memphis pimp and weed dealer who dreams of escaping the ghetto. But fortunately, there’s much more to the story than that.
DJay (Terrence Howard) is a handsome, smooth-talking hustler when he bumps into his old high school buddy, Key (Anthony Anderson), a local sound engineer who sparks an idea to record crunk rap songs. There are two types of people in the world, Key tells DJay, shortly after they meet. There are those who talk the talk and those who walk the walk. DJay is determined to be a walker.
On the surface, DJay is hardly a sympathetic character. He is, after all, a pimp. Even when he begins his quest to make music in the makeshift recording studio in his house, he wants to record songs with hooks like “beat that bitch” and “stomp that ho” before he eventually settles on the more politically correct and supposedly radio-friendly “whoop that trick.”
Beneath the surface, DJay is a man with a dream, and throughout the film you care about him and root for him. He is not your 50 Cent-Snoop Dogg type of pimp. He’s a small-time hustler driving a beat-up old Chevy with tricked-out rims and no air conditioning. He is humanized, curling iron and all, by the genius of Terrence Howard, who captivates the audience in every scene.
In fact, every actor in the film turns in a solid performance. Anthony Anderson shows he can play a serious role as DJay’s friend. Taryn Manning is excellent as an aimless white prostitute. Elise Neal hits just the right balance as the frumpy wife torn between her religion and lifestyle and her newly ambitious husband.
But Terrence Howard is more than solid. He is amazing. (It’s no wonder he is the new “it” guy in black Hollywood.) He fills the screen with life and energy in every scene. Those who remember Howard as the emasculated Buppie husband in the spring film “Crash” will hardly recognize him as the sensitive but supermasculine ghetto street nigga in “Hustle.”
Fortunately, the magic of the story is not simply in DJay’s life, but the effect that his dream has on those around him. Dreams are contagious, and DJay’s dream allows everyone else to believe in the possibility of escape. DJay’s pregnant roommate Shug (Taraji Henson) brightens up in the recording studio, and his assistant/top trick Nola becomes empowered to make DJay’s dream a reality.
If he can just finish his recording and get it into the hands of Skinny Black (Ludacris), a Memphis-grown rap star who is supposed to return home for the fourth of July, DJay may be on his way. But of course there are many obstacles to overcome first.
Despite the way the film has been billed, this is not a modern-day rags-to-riches story. Instead it is a study of the ways in which we sabotage our own success as we attempt to escape our circumstances, and yet somehow, sometimes we prevail. It is also a story about our culture. The idea that a pimp/drug dealer would become a folk hero by singing misogynistic rap lyrics says a lot about where we are as a society.
In a time when every rapper from Shyne to Lil’ Kim has gone to jail, the line between criminal enterprise and the billion-dollar recording industry will continue to be blurred. In fact, later this year, 50 Cent’s new film “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” (also starring Terrence Howard) will tell his semi-autobiographical story of an inner city drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue his passion in rap music.
But to be honest, what surprised me most about “Hustle” is that a first-time white director (Craig Brewer) could create such a compelling story involving complex and seriously flawed black characters and yet still preserve their humanity. John Singleton (Boyz in the Hood) and Stephanie Allain, the film’s two black producers, add serious credibility to this project, and the film’s artistic vision is mesmerizing.
The winner of the Audience Award at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, “Hustle and Flow” has been described by some as a black version of Eminem’s “8 Mile.” That’s a big mistake. This movie is much better than “8 Mile,” and the two are nothing alike. "Hustle & Flow" is a raw, gritty independent film that is filled with strong character actors instead of highly recognizable marquee actors.
Even the things I expected to annoy me—the loud crunk music and Hollywood's stereotypical characterization of violence of the ghetto—didn’t bother me at all. Instead, it was fun to watch the characters attempt to create music from scratch, and except for two poignant scenes, the film is virtually nonviolent.
“Hustle and Flow” is not just for crunkheads and hard rap fans. I am neither, and I found the film completely engrossing. This is a movie that has appeal to anyone who yearns to see a good story told on film.
Hustle & Flow debuts today, Friday, July 22 at theaters nationwide.
Cast and Crew
Terrence Dashon Howard .... DJay
Anthony Anderson .... Key
Taryn Manning .... Nola
Taraji P. Henson .... Shug
Paula Jai Parker .... Lexus
Elise Neal .... Yevette
DJ Qualls .... Shelby
Ludacris .... Skinny Black
Isaac Hayes.... Bar owner
Craig Brewer …. director
Stephanie Allain .... producer
Preston L. Holmes .... associate producer
John Singleton .... producer
Dwight Williams .... executive producer
Comments conceal
DB
July 23 2005, 5:00PM
To some degree, I concur with this assessment. However, after watching the film (in Memphis, TN at Peabody Place Theaters on the Giant Screen) and listening to the horrific portrayal of Southerners, and their accent, I was mortified. They sounded like the stereotypical white sorority girls from Mississippi. That hit me from the beginning of the film. Otherwise, the anticipated and experienced "ghettoness" of the film was tolerable. Though, I will say that audience members getting up to dance during the film was a bit shocking. I know Southerners have a distinct accent that is mocked by the world, however, if you want to recreate it, please take some lessons or get a native to teach you. I was also very annoyed and disappointed with Elise Neal. She is a Memphian and her accent was terrible. I was sooo disappointed. Ok. I'll step off my soap box now. But I will say that even the ghetto folks and the thugs in the movie were insulted by Hollywood's attempt to mock us. Otherwise, this was a great story of perseverance and reality.
Bobby
July 24 2005, 9:06PM
Craig Brewer is a White man. Yet, all I keep hearing is that Hustle & Flow is a Black movie from John Singleton. Doesn't take a genius to figure out why.
Hustle & Flow is the tired story of the ex-convict/drug dealer/misogynist/borderline rapist who cusses and disrespects his way to the top in order to become the worldwide coon America hopes and prays he'll be. America has ALWAYS loved its Negroes as step and fetch it, shuckin' and jivin', don't-let-your-White-woman-around-them, thug, hoodlum boogeymen from the chitlin' circuit-- so much so, that they would paint their faces Black and attempt to mimic what they thought was Black life on the minstel stage.
And this movie, along with 50 Cent and just about every other rapper, confirms it.
I'll pass on the watermelon and giant grins, thank you kindly.
Kola Boof
July 25 2005, 4:05AM
Bravo Bobby!!
Thanks for expressing my sentiments exactly.
Not to mention the fact that "woman-hating/woman-abuse" egging seems to pervade black men's art and social to the point where it's almost impossible nowadays not to be at odds with them just for mere survival.
I've been called a "male basher"---but how can you live in America and not be? Films like this one are perfect examples of the gutter that black society has lowered into.
Sad to say, but "GAY" black men are about the only way for many of us to have meaningful "family kinship" with black men.
Rob G.
July 25 2005, 10:14AM
I saw the previews of this movie, that was enough to discourage me from paying money to see this piece of crap. I am 44 years old,black,gay and proud, I thought that by now in the year 2005 we people (black and or gay) would be portrayed on TV and films etc.in a positive manner.
I had to examine what kind of films and TV shows appeal to the average young, black hetero male. They only have the BET network which predominately plays music videos highlighting sterotypical images of rappers who only add to the downfall of the black male image.
Those negative music videos, and this kind of film "Hustle and Flow", is the kind of garbage the hetero black male enjoys.The reality is that the sagging pants wearing, thuggish, lying, cheating,homophobic, buffoonish, misogynistic, criminal minded attitudes, prevail in hetero black male communities across america.
Sadly, if you ask any younger black male what he wants to be when he grows up, he will tell you he wants to be either a rapper or a basketball bouncing negro. God forbid he should want to aspire to be a doctor, lawyer, artist, film director, real estate agent, writer, teacher,engineer, architect or any profession other than rapper or basketball player.
Meanwhile MOST young white males aspire to the above mentioned white collar professions and more, that is why caucasian males will see positive images of themselves on screen and everywhere else.
I am extremely disappointed that Terrence Howard a gifted and talented actor would allow his agent or whomever to advise him to take this role in this film, which in my opinion is totally beneath him. Has anyone besides me, and my partner seen the movie "Crash" which stars Mr. Howard?
The movie role he played was truly a tour-de-force and in my humble opinion he should be nominated for an academy award. But if not at least his role in the film "Crash" left me not only with the feeling that yes, we black men can play movie directors or any positive role if given a chance, it also left me feeling proud to see Mr. Howard in a positive awe-inspiring characterization.
We people of color and, "in the life" need not support movies and TV shows that continue to portray us in a negative manner, because these negative characterizations of ourselves will only inspire younger black males to continue to adopt and convey these horrific and ridiculous attitudes to themselves and to others.
In closing, I don't want to continue to be ashamed of my younger hetero brothers when I see them on the big, or small screen,
However if people like that wretched 50 cents person and his kind are allowed to continue with their pimping mentalities black males will never be seen as upstanding honorable men in films, on TV or in the streets. Ya feel me?
Keith Boykin
July 25 2005, 11:22AM
Where does art end and politics begin? Or is there a difference between the two? This film is about art as much as it is about politics.
As an actor, Terrence Howard is wonderful on screen. This role was not beneath him any more than the role of Ray Charles was beneath Jamie Foxx or the role of Muhammad Ali was beneath Will Smith or the role of the crooked cop in "Training Day" was beneath Denzel Washington.
They all played their roles wonderfully, and they all portrayed complex but flawed characters. The fact that Ray Charles and Muhammad Ali were both womanizers makes them flawed but human. And the fact that Denzel played a dirty cop makes his character no less real as well.
The truth is there are black cops who are crooked, there are pimps with dreams, there are black icons with checkered pasts, and there are black gay men who are flaming queens (yes that's a part of the black community too). These stories should be told just like all the rest of our stories (positive, negative and neutral).
I am not as disappointed with this film as I am by the "politics of respectability" employed by middle-class blacks who want to whitewash (and implicity censor) the diversity of the black experience on film.
Yes, lets see more black lawyers and doctors and scientists and Hollywood producers on screen. But we cannot eliminate the pimps and thugs and rappers and ballers and the other images that are a part of the black experience simply because they are not politically correct.
Black people come in all diffent shapes, sizes, colors and hues. Let's see them all.
rhythm
July 25 2005, 12:23PM
Thank you, Keith! I couldn't have said it better myself. Just because the black people portrayed in the film were not necessarily those that you want to represent us as a whole, doesn't mean they shouldn't be represented. and having said that, there should not be any ONE type of black people that we want to represent us as a whole. We're far too varied and beautiful for that, "flaws" and all. And as far as how our young people view Terrence in 'Hustle,' it is our responsiblitly to see to it that they admire the image of a black man succeeding in Hollywood, not the image that he portrays in a film.
Charles
July 25 2005, 12:46PM
I completely agree with your comment Bobby as an 8th grade school teacher it is next to impossible for me to get my black male students to aspire to anything but what you mentioned in your comments...I had no interest in seeing this movie as it is a story that Hollywood has exhausted its use with Black males...
My students and I have written to Nike a least 200 letters asking them to portray a young black male doing something else than dribbling a ball, no matter what time of the day...in order to show that black males can do something more than sports…no response from the Nike Corporation...big surprise!
No surprise that Hollywood rewards these stereotypes:
1- Denzel Washington gets the Oscar for playing a corrupt, swearing , rogue, nigger cop, not for Malcolm X or Glory
2- Halle Barry gets the Oscar for playing a tragic mulatto who must find salvation in the arms of a white man.
3- Whoopie Goldberg gets the Oscar for playing a loud mouth con artist in Ghost but not for the performance of her career in the Color Purple.
I encourage you all to check out the following website as I share this with my students as so we can begin a dialog and they can make some choices that are informed and not influenced by the media...
The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia
http://www.ferris.edu/news/jimcrow/menu.htm
rhythm
July 25 2005, 2:25PM
Charles, as with any corporation, the bottom line is the dollar. So, why do you expect Nike to portray young black men doing anything other than playing ball, when their goal is to sell athletic gear? They don't portray young white men doing anything else either--or women for that matter. Perhaps you should address your concerns with media outlets instead.
Joe
July 25 2005, 2:47PM
Regardless of the opinions of those that DIDN'T see the movie and can critize, I saw it and found it very moving and positive. I'm not a rap or crunk fan but enjoyed it in the context of the movie and was able to take the message and apply it to whatever endeavor. Forgive the cliche, but it was about the human spirit and whatever prejudices or politics I had going into see the film quickly fell by the wayside.
Kola Boof
July 25 2005, 3:10PM
But that's just it, KEITH.
We are not seeing THEM ALL.
If we want to see woman-hating pimps...we can just watch BET all day.
There are so many THOUSANDS of representations of Black people that we have NEVER SEEN---
And it never fails to amaze me Keith, how you can defend R. Kelly's sex video and the FACT that he's a child molester and defend the Basketball player KNOWINGLY infecting women with AIDS and yet get so completely UNDONE when gays are portrayed in a negative light/done wrong.
As usual, people relate and care MOST about their own struggles, and like 90% of the black women I've talked to---we are NOT seeing this film.
The theme song played throughout this film is "SMACK THAT HO".
Pimp becomes rapper denigrating women through rap LYRICS.
And that's a step up for WHO?
SMH
Rob G.
July 25 2005, 3:41PM
This is Rob G. from South Florida responding to brother Keith I'm not mad at ya. We can agree to disagree.
You say this film is about art and that is fine, However my idea of art has nothing to do with rap or rappers. In my opinion rap is not art I do not care how many billions of dollars it generates. It has, and continues to reduce black males to espousing thuggish almost cartoonish attitudes and personalities.
You mentioned crooked black cops, pimps with dreams, black icons with checkered pasts and flaming queens be they positive, negative, or nuetral and how their stories should be told just like the rest of our stories. That is fine That is your opinion, I respect that.
However I believe we need many more postive characterizations of ourselves to show our young brothers that being intelligent,educated, responsible, and articulate et al. is the way to command respect, not to mention viable employment. They need to learn respect for themselves and for others.
I really got a kick out of the "politics of respectability" employed by middle class blacks who want to whitewash and (implicitly censor) the diversity of the black experience on film...
I do not want to whitewash or censor the diversity of the black experience on film. What I am saying is, the constant barrage of these negative images is being played out over and over again adversely influencing our young brothers.
We can cut down dramatically with the pimps, thugs, rappers, ballers etc.These images have been done time and time again, to the detrement of young black males.I am just saying these films and filmmakers need to give these images a rest, show the young brothers movies with flawed characters yes, but how about a movie about a black male who has what it takes to get accepted to Harvard university or Morehouse, or Howard and with his flawed characteristics and all, he graduates and becomes someone who is complex and awe-inspiring,instead of just another foul mouthed rapper or baller. All I am saying is let's see the positive characterizations more often.
To Charles, who also commented on my remarks, Thank you. As a teacher you see first hand how black students aspire to be ballers, or rappers and I am sure you are not the only teacher of black males who is witnessing this.
Let's all keep the dialogue flowing
Peace
Charles
July 25 2005, 5:25PM
Nike has firmly established itself as the GIANT in the athletic shoes and clothing arena…there is no one bigger…Rhythm, my point in the letters to Nike is the following while I agree with you 100% that their goal is to sale athletic gear and I do not expect them to change but to redirect some of the imaging of black males…my classroom videotaped and sent in the following to Nike:
A young black male sitting at home studying for a test…his crew comes by to pick him up for a game…he let’s them know he has to study…mom and dad on the couch smile and nod their approval…the door closes, he walks back to his room…the camera highlights his shoes…the following words appear: whether on the court or not…”Just Do It”…it is important that black males see themselves as achieving in more than one arena…it is not out there in the programming and my overwhelming point is the impact and the audience Nike can reach with these types of ads…
As a teacher, I encourage my students (male and female) to see the various faces of blackness and decide from an array of choices, which one they will inhabit, but more importantly telling them NO MATTER what you are still “black”...right now the imaging that is widespread is a baller or rapper...sadfully many young black males will not make it in either one of these areas...far too many black males have one of these goals and when it does not take off they are destroyed, become bitter and broken inside...this can lead to a decline in actions and judgments that condemn to a fate they never dreamed of...
One of my proudest moments came as I was boarding a flight from Seattle to Oakland, a former students checked me in, she gave me a big hug and said thank you for believing in her that I should talk to co-pilot…as I boarded the plane I asked to speak with the co-pilot and standing there bigger than life was yet another one of my students…he informed me that at 26 he was one of the youngest pilots around…he proudly announced to the entire plane as we were getting ready to take off, his appreciation and remembrance of everything that I shared with him, causing the entire cabin to applaud…in addition he added that any problems with the flight could be blamed on me…I cried softly, my heart filled with pride for both of their accomplishments…
Without a doubt, there is an array of choices out there and we need to take a moment and honor each one of them…and I will say it one more time no matter what career or academic choice that is made that person is still black...the black community tends to belittle or make academic success sissified for black males and that is incredibly dangerous for all of us...
Dana
July 25 2005, 5:55PM
I was talking to a friend on Friday night. She shared with me that her father hated the movie Sideways because he did not think that people should be having elicit sex like that on screen. My friend has a 10 month old daughter. My daughter is 10 years old. We were discussing the fact that we hope that we can set the kind of example for our children that will leave them able to appreciate the complexity of the human experience; to see beyond the superficial for the gold that lies beneath. I want that for "my girl".
The characters in Hustle and Flow were complex, as was the story. To make a judgment about the value of this movie based on whether or not it is stereotypical is to miss out on something special. I don't beleive that everybody "hustling" wants to be doing so necessarily. People want more than where they find themselves sometimes, but sometimes people get stuck and forgotten.
There are a lot of different people out there living a lot of different experiences. I was transported when I saw Hustle and Flow, to a place of beauty. Beyond the raw grit of their experience (which IS for many a daily struggle to survive ) -- was something very uplifting. I don't think that this is a movie that should be missed. The performances are outstanding and my humanity and compassion were expanded.
Dana
July 25 2005, 5:59PM
I was talking to a friend on Friday night. She shared with me that her father hated the movie Sideways because he did not think that people should be having elicit sex like that on screen. My friend has a 10 month old daughter. My daughter is 10 years old. We were discussing the fact that we hope that we can set the kind of example for our children that will leave them able to appreciate the complexity of the human experience; to see beyond the superficial for the gold that lies beneath. I want that for "my girl".
The characters in Hustle and Flow were complex, as was the story. To make a judgment about the value of this movie based on whether or not it is stereotypical is to miss out on something special. I don't beleive that everybody "hustling" wants to be doing so necessarily. People want more than where they find themselves sometimes, but sometimes people get stuck and forgotten.
There are a lot of different people out there living a lot of different experiences. I was transported when I saw Hustle and Flow, to a place of beauty. Beyond the raw grit of their experience (which IS for many a daily struggle to survive ) -- was something very uplifting. I don't think that this is a movie that should be missed. The performances are outstanding and my humanity and compassion were expanded.
Rhythm
July 26 2005, 10:32AM
Okay, just for the sake of accuracy, the song in the movie was "Whoop That Trick," not "Smack That Ho." I don't say that to imply that one is better than the other, but to ask Kola, did you see the film? It's kinda hard to forget that line (and how the characters came up with it), so I'm wondering if you're commenting after having seen the film...
I have to agree with Dana--the complexities portrayed in this film are of real situations and lifestyles that exist within our community. And it's important for us to see this and understand that "everybody has a dream." There IS a message in this film, beyond the obvious pimp/ho storyline. And we have to understand that for some people, sports and or music IS a realistic way out--if for nothing else, to give them something to aim for--to "dream for" as the film's recurring theme notes.
And I have to think the issue with DJay's dream of being a rapper is based on a prejudice against hip hop. If he had been aspiring to own his own dry cleaning shop, would we be having this discussion? Though hip-hop has its faults (as does any other aspect of our culture), we can't forget that it has given much to our community and that those who are able to be successful in the industry often give back to their communities in various ways.
And lastly, Charles, I think the commercial idea is beautiful, and we need more teachers like you. I just hope that we as a community continue to be role models for our youth with or without the support of corporations like Nike. After all, if they obliged your request, it probably wouldn't be for the right reasons anyway.
p e a c e
Rhythm
July 26 2005, 11:25AM
Though I previously commented on hip-hop, I did so before reading Rob G.'s comment about rap not being an art form. Now, some people hold this opinion while making a distinction between rap and hip-hop, however I don't think that was your point. I won't debate with you re: whether or not hip-hop is art because I don't have to--it speaks for itself. But I will say that those who view it as such don't do so because of the money it generates, as you implied. Because some of the best hip-hop makes little to no money at all. And all hip-hop artists don't represent the images you mentioned. I just saw Common and De La Soul in concert this weekend (along with John Legend), and I have to say (for those who can appreciate the art) it was one of the greatest show's I've ever seen--sorry about the plug, but check it out if you get a chance. Anyway, as an artist (not hip-hop, but definitely hip-hop influenced--check my site www.sayrhythm.com), I am offended when "others" attempt to tell an artist what art is or isn't. Just say you don't like it. Or turn it off...
p e a c e
Tracey
July 29 2005, 8:17PM
Whew! Who's Zooming Who? I'm hearing some very MALE responses here. I wonder if the character was pimping black gays males calling them bitch or ho, taking their money to make a rap demo tape, would you guys still be talking about ART or COMPLEXITIES. You can't cry and whine about stereotypical portrayals of gays and then turn around and sell women down the river. This film is devastating in it's portrayals of women, particularly black women. I don't give a damn how "good" the actor's performances are, this movie black people could have lived without. Quite frankly, what is the difference between Paula Jai Parker's character and performances in She Hate Me and Hustle & Flow? Not much in my view. Spike Lee destroyed Whoopi and Alice Walker over male stereotypes in The Color Purple, where is he now that black women are being dumped on again? Quite frankly, Keith where are you?
Sara
August 15 2005, 1:09PM
I think Hustle and Flow was one of the best movies this year...I was so into it when DJay {Terrence Howard} was rappin..When i got home i downloaded the entire sound track! That was my movie!