Howard’s facial expressions and visual movements alone are solid enough to nail the performance.

Although I believe he was equally powerful (if not more so) in “Crash, ' the difference here is that his character is the main man. And the performance of Terrence Howard is every bit as powerful as all the accolades he has received. He is good natured, but often makes decisions typical of a man without the right tools in life. A man struggles to find his niche in a world he has become accustomed to, and for which he wants more out of. In many aspects the story is a traditional underdog story. Aside from the recording of the demo, there is apt concentration on DJay’s relationship with his ladies. The film is one big build up to the final climax that involves DJay meeting with Big Skinny to push his demo tape. “Me and him are gonna be kickin’ it over at Arnel’s club on the Fourth of July (Arnel is played by Isaac Hayes).” “Hey!! Look, there’s Skinny Black,” DJay tells his ladies as he sees him on television. And according to DJay, he and Skinny are old friends. Fellow Memphis native Skinny Black (Ludacris) has already accomplished such a feat. DJay’s desire is to become a successful rapper. Are they former lovers?Īside from his monotonous routine, DJay has a master plan that is set into motion when a local peasant pawns an old small keyboard to DJay for next to nothing. Henson), a pregnant woman, possibly a former prostitute herself with a connection to DJay that is left for much interpretation. Rounding out the household is Shug (Taraji P. Nola lives with DJay-as does Lexus (a loudmouth stripper) and her young son. Presently DJay drives Nola around town parading her to potential customers as she hops from vehicle to vehicle.

Most prosperous among his tricks is Nola (Taryn Manning), a white country girl who is severely attached to DJay, yet searching for her own purpose in life. He spends day after countless day hooking his ladies out to clients and dealing drugs (weed being the primary drug of choice). A brilliant mind with a raw talent to rhyme and a keen street smartness essential for survival in a rundown Memphis neighborhood. DJay (Terrence Howard) is a pimp in every sense of the word, but a pimp with a conscience. And a less than predictable final few scenes keeps the viewers in suspense up to the final credits.

The character development alone sets it aside from typical underdog cliches. Director/Writer Craig Brewer turns an average story into quality entertainment by developing and pushing strong performances all around.

Hustle and flow cast dj