DVD: Hustle and Flow


Quick Pre-Oscar review: an unexpected pleasure

I don't know too many people who saw this movie. I of course had read of Terrence Howard's great performance, and other than that I had heard only that it's about a ugly side of life...prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers and others on the seamier side.

With that in mind, and with my recent rant about indie films showing disdain for the idea that viewers should root for characters, I was expecting a well-acted, but essentially unpleasant day at the movies.

Now, there's no doubt there are ugly scenes and situations in Hustle and Flow...the characters aren't obvious examples of nobility or enlightenment. And yet I did find myself rooting for them all. I found myself cringing when each character did something unkind or immoral, not just cringing at them...but cringing for them because I wanted the characters to be and become the best versions of themselves.

Hustle and Flow worked for me on a lot of different levels. As a character study. As a commentary on class in American society. Even as a look at the artistic process...I enjoyed seeing creation in action, even though I'm not typically a rap fan.

And here's what I liked the best: the filmmakers didn't think it was too Americanized or mainstream to leave us with the hope of redemption instead of only degradation. See, I knew where the plot was going when Terrence Howard's character headed to the bathroom to take a piss. I knew what he would discover. And all I could think was "Shit, another depressing ending is heading my way." What ensued surprised me, both the violent aftermath, but even more so, the final message being one of potential for hope and elevation for more than one of the primary characters.

And I thought: "now, that wasn't so hard was it?"

Much to my surprise, I strongly recommend Hustle and Flow...for the acting, and the music, and the hard-edged 70's TV-style cinematography...and the willingness to buck a trend and have me cheering characters on, instead of analyzing them from a detached distance.

Buy Hustle and Flow at Amazon.com

Posted: Sun - March 5, 2006 at 11:14 AM       EmailFeedback

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