Hustle & Flow (2005)

With help from his friends, a Memphis pimp in a mid-life crisis attempts to become a successful hip-hop emcee.

Director:

Craig Brewer

Writer:

Craig Brewer

Stars:

Terrence Howard, Ludacris, Anthony Anderson

Won 1 Oscar. Another 24 wins & 47 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Terrence Howard	...	Djay
Anthony Anderson	...	Key
Taryn Manning	...	Nola
Taraji P. Henson	...	Shug
DJ Qualls	...	Shelby (as D.J. Qualls)
Ludacris	...	Skinny Black
Paula Jai Parker	...	Lexus
Elise Neal	...	Yevette
Isaac Hayes	...	Arnel
Juicy J	...	Tigga
William Engram	...	Slobs (as William 'Poon' Engram)
Bobby Sandimanie	...	Yellow Jacket (as Bobby 'I-20' Sandimanie)
Haystak	...	Mickey
Claude Phillips	...	Harold
Josey Scott	...	Elroy

Storyline

Aspiring emcee DJay works the angles to get his first record made with help from assorted people in his Memphis 'hood. And when he hears that hip-hop superstar Skinny Black is heading to his area, he throws together a supreme hustle to grab Skinny's attention.

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Plot Keywords:

electronic keyboard | audio cassette | car | disc jockey | drug abuse | 

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Taglines:

Everybody gotta have a dream.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sex and drug content, pervasive language and some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

While filming in Memphis, Anthony Anderson and assistant director Wayne Witherspoon were arrested and charged with sexual assault on a woman who Witherspoon allegedly lured to a production trailer. Charges against both were later thrown out by the presiding judge.

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Goofs

When Shelby lays down the piano loop for "Whoop that Trick", he plays it in the middle of the keyboard. In the next shot, his hand has moved to the bottom of the keyboard, while the notes stay the same.

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Quotes

[leaning Lexus's head against his stomach]
DJay: You hear that? That's my gut saying "hurry the fuck up", okay?

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Connections

Referenced in All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)

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Soundtracks

Pop It for Some Paper
by D.J. Paul (as DJ Paul), Juicy J (as Juicy J) and Frayser Boy
Produced by D.J. Paul (as DJ Paul) and Juicy J (as Juicy J)
Performed by Terrence Howard ("Djay")
Courtesy of Pike and Pine Music

User Reviews

close to real life

A very good film. I have noted criticism that the film slips into formula in its second half; true. But the situation is so bleak for these characters, I doubt that American audiences would have accepted a more believable ending; and, after all, there were far worse "happy" endings that it avoids.

The gritty staging, the solid no-frills camera-work and editing, and some really excellent performances make this well worth the effort to confront dishonest characters struggling to find some sort of integrity in their efforts to survive and succeed. These characters are not likable - none of them are, they each have a tic that denies them total sympathy from the audience. But they are all very human for that, and so ultimately win our respect if not approval.

Among the actors, two performances especially shine. Terrence Howard as DJay shows timing and expression worthy of much older, more "schooled" actors. Anthony Anderson is a real and pleasant surprise; stuck in character roles for the past decade, Anderson has become a real annoyance to me, as the usual character he plays is really excessive, a caricature. In this role, he is allowed to just act, and he delivers a wholly believable multifaceted performance.

Hollywood has been producing such bad films that saying this film is among the best released this year may not be saying much (there are real and undeniable weaknesses to the film). Nonetheless, on the whole, the film is a commendable and rewarding effort to present a drama involving human beings living close to real life, and not cartoons. I credit that effort, and recommend a viewing.

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 July 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hustle & Flow

Filming Locations:

Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,017,808, 24 July 2005

Gross USA:

$22,202,809

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$23,563,727

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crunk Pictures, Homegrown Pictures, MTV Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1