Movie Review – Hustle & Flow (2005 – United States)

For someone entranced by the visual vocabulary of film, I own remarkably few movies. Why? Because I'm fickle, and there are so few I want to watch again, and I know it. Therefore, when a picture comes along that I buy instantly and, indeed, watch over and over . . . well, it's worthy of note, as is Craig Brewer's astonishing Hustle & Flow , which I own, and play so often it's a bit silly.

This picture illustrates the difference between plot (low level Memphis pimp and dealer dreams of becoming a rap star) and theme (the transformational quality of creativity). Therefore, this is a picture for anyone who has a dream, a vision, a goal, whatever you wish to call it, and whatever it may be. "Every man has a right--a goddamned right--to contribute his verse", J. Quails' character, Shelby, tells us, and he's so right!

For artists everywhere, this movie resonates and inspires. And we are all "artists", because we belong to a species blessed—or cursed—with creativity. Believe in yourself, believe in your dream, and never give up. This is a film that not only reminds you to do so, but can inspire you to reach just a tad further and step your game up. Remember: "It ain't over for me."

Highly recommended.

Copyright © Roberta Lee 2012. All rights reserved.

(I am an artist and the author of the Suburban Sprawl series of novels as well as two nonfiction books. Find out more about my work at RobertaLeeArt.com.)

Genre: Drama

Running Time: 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed By: Craig Brewer

Written By: Craig Brewer

In Theaters: Jul 22, 2005 Wide

On DVD: Jan 10, 2006

Box Office: $22.1M

Distributed by: Paramount Classics

Cast:

Terrence Howard - Djay

Anthony Anderson - Key

Taryn Manning - Nola

Taraji P. Henson - Shug

DJ Qualls - Shelby

Ludacris - Skinny Black

Paula Jai Parker - Lexus

Elise Neal - Yevette

Isaac Hayes - Arnel