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Hustle & Flow
2005
Drama
Music
1h 56m
The redemptive story of a streetwise Memphis hustler trying to find his voice and realize his long-buried dreams. (Paramount Classics / MTV Films)
Directed by:
Written by:
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Hustle & Flow
2005
Drama
Music
1h 56m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 55.33% from 1344 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
(1350)
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Rated 13 Sep 2018
62
42nd
Where I'm from a brewer does the world a service and should be commended, not shackled with the reins to the Footloose universe. Poor Craig's filmography from bottom to top reads: Getting His Feet Wet, Honing His Chops, Indie Standout, Ambitious Followup, I Need to Make Money, I NEED TO MAKE MONEY.
Rated 13 Sep 2018
Rated 14 Sep 2018
75
69th
One of my all time favorites Because it doesn't feel look like a movie it very much feels like something straight outta real life
Rated 14 Sep 2018
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
86th
I loved this film! Was worried I wouldn't in the first fifteen minutes -- it took a little work to get into -- but by the time we hit the first musical sequence, I was sold, hook, line and sinker. No little credit goes to the powerhouse acting of Terrence Howard, but a lot of the movie's power is in the music, and all the participant's obvious love for the art form. Great!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
94th
A fantastic musical journey. I can't say enough about how wonderfully gripping Terrence Howard's performance is! A must see among 2005 releases.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 28 Nov 2009
4
13th
(2nd viewing) This could've been a hard-hitting portrait of redemption, but it's nothing more than a anemic attempt to evoke sympathy. Taraji P. Henson and some of the music make it semi-watchable but it's also painfully orchestrated, poorly written and acted and filled with a myriad of stupid characters. At the end of the day, D-Jay hasn't learned anything, and neither has the audience. Alright fine, beating people to a pulp will solve all your problems. Who wrote this shit, 3 6 maffia ?!
Rated 28 Nov 2009
Rated 02 Aug 2007
78
40th
Craig Brewer's story of a Memphis hustler that rediscovers the light in his life is an odd duck: His characters live permanently in a morally grey area, but at the same time they are all likable and realistic, and they stay true to the story being told. Add in some well-produced original music, terriffic performances all around, and you have on the most original musical biopics of the new millenium.
Rated 02 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
58
25th
"It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" deserved the Oscar. But Terrence Howard didn't deserve his nomination. A fine film that tumbles a bit under its Scarface-envy, and I just don't see the promise for this director or Howard.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 30 May 2008
1
12th
We are supposed to sympathize with DJay, obviously, but why? Who cares? The first 90 minutes are ok. But the last 25 minutes or so are just so bad that they overwhelm whatever the first part accomplished making it miserable to watch. Also, the music is fucking awful.
Rated 30 May 2008
Rated 12 Mar 2022
93
88th
Absorbing, entertaining underdog saga shares thematic similarities with 8 MILE, but presents a grittier, less idealised protagonist, and a fine array of equally well-crafted supporting characters (with Qualls and Anderson given some excellent quips and speeches). A witty, often very funny and detailed screenplay constantly and consistently rings true; a shame that the finale doesn’t quite convince, with a sudden, unexpected burst of violence leading to a hasty resolution for all the characters.
Rated 12 Mar 2022
Rated 01 Mar 2007
90
76th
The end is way more touching than you'd expect. Its a very good movie.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
Rated 24 Jan 2007
73
45th
It was okay, but kind of formulaic and predictable. Terence Howard's performance, for all the hype it's gotten, wasn't all that impressive.
Rated 24 Jan 2007
Rated 20 Feb 2009
79
67th
I have mixed emotions on this movie. As a rap fanatic I thought Howard did a good job playing his role as not only a rapper but someone living where he lived and trying to make it. DJ Qualls makes no sense in his character. It seemed like they were forcing themselves to add another white character but he was not needed. This movie fell apart in the final 30 or so minutes after the meeting with Cris. I just didn't like the direction they ended it, and the conclusion was hard to buy.
Rated 20 Feb 2009
Rated 27 Mar 2011
20
44th
An article of nouveau blaxploitation, a throwback even as to the chintziness of the production. Howard plays the hip-hop pimp with an openness and unguardedness that offer no defense against the blunt-force poignance, a bit like a ball on a batting tee. Brewer, who likes to get two or more people talking or yelling at once, mixes in four parts grit for every one part goop, a recipe for mud pie.
Rated 27 Mar 2011
Rated 12 Aug 2010
64
84th
#00s(m)#, reviews, story
Rated 12 Aug 2010
Rated 11 Jul 2013
75
56th
Nice music and directing and a phenomenal performance by Howard.
Rated 11 Jul 2013
Rated 26 May 2011
65
52nd
it's pretty decent iirc hard out here for a pimp etc
Rated 26 May 2011
Rated 03 Aug 2010
40
25th
Well, I guess I fall out of the demographics, but either way I don't see how the story about a pimp and prostitutes living out the dream and releasing a rap song on the radio is inspiring. The whole idea of people making it big when they are right at the bottom is worn out by Hollywood. It's not a bad movie, though. I liked cinematography, there are some good acting to witness.
Rated 03 Aug 2010
Rated 12 Aug 2009
60
37th
A very interesting and insightful look at the contemporary, poor, urban south. Howard is great, as is Manning and Henson. However, the story is bogged down and goes in a fairly strange direction in the 3rd act.
Rated 12 Aug 2009
Rated 09 Jun 2009
60
33rd
I don't have the slightest idea what I was supposed to get out of this film. Was it that a pimp can dream?
Rated 09 Jun 2009
Rated 22 Apr 2009
75
71st
I'm a big hip-hop fan, but most of the movies about the genre suck. This is an exception.
Rated 22 Apr 2009
Rated 17 Nov 2011
20
41st
"Talent and practice isn't enough to realize your dreams. To get on MTV, sometimes you gotta shoot somebody." - Akiva Gottlieb
Rated 17 Nov 2011
Rated 16 Jun 2013
70
43rd
I prefer Black Snake Moan, but this is still pretty decent. Terrence Howard is great. The last 20 minutes, not so much.
Rated 16 Jun 2013
Rated 17 Jun 2013
80
77th
Pretty alright movie. I loved the beats dropped, and how real it all felt. Howard was great in it, and I am surprised MTV produced it. No. No I am not.
Rated 17 Jun 2013
Rated 18 May 2008
75
48th
It's hard out here for a pimp. But not as hard as for the hookers.
Rated 18 May 2008
Rated 08 Aug 2014
85
63rd
Terrence Howard's best performance ever and a sentimental favorite for creating the phrase "Academy Award Winners Three Six Mafia".
Rated 08 Aug 2014
Rated 22 Jan 2015
76
56th
Terrence Howard is really good in this film. His performance makes the film and script work. The script is straightforward but it works. The supporting cast is also good in this film. Overall I would recommend this drama.
Rated 22 Jan 2015
Rated 05 Feb 2015
60
42nd
Hustle & Flow gets off to a rocky start, the opening scenes are dull and messy - it's unclear what Brewer is trying to achieve. Once DJay (Terrence Howard) sits in the church and listens to the music, things start to come together nicely.
Rated 05 Feb 2015
Rated 07 May 2017
97
95th
Best hip-hop movie. Female characters are wery shallow though.
Rated 07 May 2017
Rated 10 Nov 2018
59
61st
Like 8 Mile which came before it, this is another fascinating look into the underclass trying to make it as a rapper. This is a bit more gritty than the aforementioned film and as a result the protagonist, D Jay, is a little less likable and a little more real.
Rated 10 Nov 2018
Rated 05 Jul 2023
20
10th
Terrence Howard is an awesome actor, but this movie is shit! Had to use subtitles to understand the dialog and the music is awful!!
Rated 05 Jul 2023
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
88th
Great look at life on the streets of Tennesse.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 12 Dec 2006
80
87th
Yes, this was a well done movie and I was quite impressed with it. I didn't think it was the best movie I've seen this year, maybe because I can't related to the ghetto/rap lifestyle aspirations, but the acting was great, the music was hot and there was a decent story line. Definitely watch it.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
Rated 05 Mar 2007
43
19th
Strong acting and some pretty amusing scenes, and most people probably really loved this, but it just didn't have anything that appealed to me. I just really didn't enjoy it at all.
Rated 05 Mar 2007
Rated 16 Mar 2007
87
79th
I can do anything!!!!
Rated 16 Mar 2007
Rated 18 Mar 2007
71
44th
Cool story about the rise of a small-time pimp trying to become a rapper. Terrence Howard puts on the performance of his career thus far as D-Jay, and the majority of the movie is entertaining and has great music.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
Rated 22 Mar 2007
87
90th
A fantastic Oscar-nominated performance from Terrence Howard holds this hip-hop dare-to-dream drama together.
Rated 22 Mar 2007
Rated 21 Apr 2007
60
47th
Has street credibility but lacks in content. Ending feels rushed. Quick trip into Dirty South rap scene.
Rated 21 Apr 2007
Rated 13 Jul 2007
1
10th
Misogynistic crap. Throw a prostitute and her baby into the street and then ask me to give a shit about your little rap career? I'll stick to Krush Groove and the Fat Boys, thank you.
Rated 13 Jul 2007
Rated 21 Jul 2007
37
39th
A sexist film that glorifies pimps and is not nearly as "morally complex" as some dense viewers like to think it is. Also responsible for the incomprehensible popularity of that stupid Three-Six Mafia song. Pimps down! Free the hos!
Rated 21 Jul 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
77th
You got to see this movie, man...Howard rolls as a pimp and rocks as a musical sensation...Soundtrack thumps to an urban beat while bringing a story that seems real.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
94
90th
Awesome, awesome movie. Terence Howard and Taraji Henson shine.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
86th
Extraordinary movie with brilliant performances from the entire ensemble, but most importantly Terrence Howard. The whole film is a winner, start to finish.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
87th
An effective drama about one man's struggle to break through the squalor of his existence.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 11 Feb 2009
90
96th
- excellent
Rated 11 Feb 2009
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
84th
The character of the young prostitute played by Taryn Manning(?) was particularly sharp. There is no doubt in my mind that she deserved the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress...but she wasn't even nominated. What a shame.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
49th
Good film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
94th
biggest smile i had coming out of a theatre in a long time
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 19 Aug 2007
100
98th
I was expecting a run-of-the-mill gangsta flick but boy was I wrong. Brilliant film with quality acting, writing, directing. Plus don't forget that catchy Oscar-winning theme song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp". Any movie with a theme song like that is worth seeing, right? ;)
Rated 19 Aug 2007
Rated 30 Dec 2007
63
32nd
Perfectly captures the excitement of creating music with other people. I could take or leave most of it, but for those scenes alone it makes for a movie I could sit down and watch at any time.
Rated 30 Dec 2007
Rated 27 Feb 2008
58
47th
ger; ein zuhälter in der midlife-crisis versucht seinen ursprünglichen traum vom rappen zu verwirklichen
Rated 27 Feb 2008
Rated 21 Mar 2008
1
19th
Thhhhhiiiiiiisssssss mmmmmooooooovvvvvvviiiiieeeee iiiiiiiiiiissssssssss lllllllloooooooonnnnnnngggggg aaaaaaannnnnnddddd bbbbbbbooooooorrrrrrrriiiiiiiinnnnnnnggggg! But there's got to be a Gershwinn turning over in his grave right now because the beloved Academy gave its Best Song statuette to a group called Three Six Mafia, for their song called 'Hard Out Here For A Pimp'. Everytime I think about that, it just puts a smile on my face...(cuz it's so damned funny and unlikely!)
Rated 21 Mar 2008
Rated 12 May 2008
75
54th
I am fairly certain that this movie was not made for my demographic. That being said, I still thought it was a pretty entertaining film and Terrence Howard really shined in his role.
Rated 12 May 2008
Rated 08 Dec 2006
50
41st
Unquestionably misogynist and yet still rousing, thanks to a transcendant performance by Howard. Though this inspirational story still features a whole lot more compromise than your usual breed.
Rated 08 Dec 2006
Rated 19 Jul 2008
85
77th
Surprisingly good led with a powerhouse performance from Terrence Howard.
Rated 19 Jul 2008
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Written by:
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