A gritty fairy tale of dreams deferred, HUSTLE & FLOW infuses
the torpor of the Memphis ghetto with electric tension. Terrence
Howard delivers the performance of a lifetime as DJay, a pimp and
drug dealer eking out an existence with his three whores, one of
whom, Shug (Taraji P. Henson, HOLLA), is hugely pregnant. Nola
(Taryn Manning, 8 MILE) turns tricks from the backseat of DJay's
beater, while Lexus (Paula Jai Parker, LOVE CHRONICLES), the
hustler's high-maintenance girlfriend, strips in a cellar-like
club. DJay's dissatisfaction is increasing as he senses that life
has nothing more in store for him, but a chance encounter with an
old school friend, Key (Anthony Anderson, KING'S RANSOM), reignites
his musical aspirations. Key is a small-time recording artist, and
DJay, armed with a notebook full of lyrics, pays him a visit at
home, much to the displeasure of Key's prim and proper wife (Elise
Neal, PLAYA'S BALL). Initially dubious, Key agrees to partner with
DJay after hearing his stuff, and the two build a makeshift
recording studio in DJay's back room, enlisting the aid of a skinny
white boy (DJ Qualls) with an unlikely talent on the drum machine.
There unfolds the triumphant meat of the story, where, against all
odds--and after a few bouts of infighting--everyone pitches in to
cut DJay's crunk demo.
Release Date: 12 October 2006
Running Time: 115 minutes