Hustle & Flow was released on July 22, 2005, by Paramount Pictures, and received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances—particularly those of Howard and Henson—as well as Brewer's direction and the film's soundtrack. The film emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, grossing $23.5 million against a production budget of $2.8 million.
DJay, a pimp and drug dealer in Memphis, Tennessee, is dissatisfied with his life and finds himself grappling with a midlife crisis. After reconnecting with his old friend Key, a sound technician, DJay is inspired to pursue a career in hip hop music.
With the help of Key and Shelby, a sound mixer, DJay begins creating songs that reflect his frustrations with life in the ghetto. Despite his lack of formal experience, DJay proves to be a talented lyricist and rapper. The group manages to create songs with the potential for local radio play, including "Whoop That Trick" and "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp".
However, the road to success is fraught with setbacks. DJay hustles to secure the necessary equipment and recording time, even going so far as to offer Nola, his top prostitute, to a microphone salesman in exchange for gear. Nola is outraged by the exchange, leading to a heated argument, during which DJay promises her a bigger role in the future. Meanwhile, Key's marriage suffers under the strain of the project, and DJay expels Lexus, one of his other prostitutes, and her infant son after she mocks his ambitions. Shug, another of DJay's girls, who is pregnant, becomes involved in the recording process by singing hooks for the songs, and a romantic connection develops between her and DJay.
As the group finishes recording, DJay learns that Skinny Black, a successful Memphis rapper, will be attending a Fourth of July party. DJay attends the event under the pretext of providing marijuana with the intention of giving Skinny his demo tape. Initially dismissive, Skinny Black eventually agrees to take the tape after DJay persuades him during the party. However, before DJay leaves, he discovers that a drunken Skinny Black has destroyed the demo. Enraged, DJay confronts Skinny, who insults him. In a violent outburst, DJay beats Skinny Black nearly to death and attempts to revive him. When one of Black's associates walks in and pulls a gun, DJay seizes Black's gun and shoots the man in the arm before fleeing.
Upon returning home, DJay finds the police waiting for him. He is arrested, but before being taken away, he entrusts Nola with his lyrics and puts her in charge of sending the songs to radio stations. As DJay is led away, he shares a tearful look with Shug. DJay is sentenced to 11 months in prison for assault and firearm possession.
While in prison, DJay is visited by Key, who informs him that Nola has successfully gotten radio DJs to play his songs, which have since become local hits. Humbled by his success, DJay and Key begin discussing future business plans. In a final moment of validation, two correctional officers ask DJay to listen to their demo, and DJay, recognizing their ambition, agrees.
Terrence Howard initially turned down the role of DJay. He was reportedly hesitant to take on the part, as he wanted to avoid being typecast in a stereotypical "pimp" archetype. However, after reflecting on the complexity and emotional depth of the character, Howard reconsidered and ultimately accepted the role.
The film faced years of rejection and setbacks from major studios and financiers before finally securing backing. Longtime supporter John Singleton played a pivotal role in its production. In the DVD extras, Singleton expressed his frustration with the industry's reluctance to recognize the film's potential, stating that he ultimately decided to fund the project himself because he believed it deserved the chance to be made.
Due to the unique cultural significance of "hustle" and "flow" in African American culture, translating the film's title for international audiences proved difficult. In Russia, for instance, the title was translated to "The Bustle and the Motion", while in Italy, it was appended with "Il colore della musica" ("The Color of Music"). In China, the film was released under the title "Street Hip Hop", reflecting an attempt to capture its essence for non-English-speaking viewers.
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 82% of 162 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Hustle & Flow is gritty and redemptive, with a profound sense of place and exciting music."[2] On Metacritic, the film holds a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 based on 37 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[3]
In a review for The Boston Globe, the film was noted for evoking different reactions: "Some will find it chicly inspired, recalling blaxploitation's heyday with its grimy urban realism. Some will find it corny, absurd, and a limited view of options for disenfranchised African-Americans."[4]Entertainment Weekly praised the film's musical sequences, stating, "The home-studio recording sequences in Hustle & Flow are funky, rowdy, and indelible. Craig Brewer gives us the pleasure of watching characters create music from the ground up."[5]
Legacy
The phrase "Whoop That Trick", which was prominently featured in Hustle & Flow, became a rallying cry for fans of the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team during the early 2020s.[6][7][8][9][10] The chant gained widespread popularity and was used by fans to energize the team during games, further solidifying the cultural impact of the film and its music within the city of Memphis.
^"Winners & Nominees 2006". Golden Globes. Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
^Douglas, Edward (December 11, 2005). "2005 NYFCO Film Awards". New York Film Critics Online. Archived from the original on June 12, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
