Much more interesting are his day-to-day relationships. The way he uses his instincts to try again is smart, and brave.īut "Hustle & Flow" is not limited to Djay's rags-to-riches dream, because it is not a formula film. Djay's first approach to him is miscalculated and all wrong. And beyond that is the whole world-view Skinny Black has bought into: his cars, his bodyguards, his image as a menacing rapper.
#Hustle and flow film professional#
Discovering a talented newcomer might be professional suicide. He does not have the power in the music industry that Djay imagines. What Djay cannot be expected to understand is that Skinny Black gets countless demos pressed warmly into his hands every day. Henson) to sing backup, and make the recording. They staple cardboard egg containers to the walls to soundproof a recording studio, enlist a hooker named Shug ( Taraji P. Key knows Shelby (DJ Qualls), a white kid with musical skills. Djay picks up an ancient digital keyboard, and enlists Key ( Anthony Anderson), a family man and churchgoer, to work with him on the music. We get the ghetto version of renting the old barn and putting on a show. The long second act, in some ways the heart of the film, involves Djay's attempts to meet his various business responsibilities while recording the demo. The theory is, Djay will give his demo tape to Skinny Black, who will pull strings and make Djay a star.īut that's in the third act of the movie. The club owner ( Isaac Hayes) is a friend of Djay's. Skinny Black returns to the old neighborhood every Fourth of July for a sentimental reunion at the club where he got his start. How close of a childhood friend is a good question as nearly as I can tell, they went to different schools together.
He has a childhood friend named Skinny Black (Ludacris), who has become a millionaire rap star. He can improvise at length on philosophical subjects, as he proves in an opening scene about - well, about no less than the nature of man. He is a focused young man, intelligent, who in another world with other opportunities might have, who knows, gone to college and run for Congress. He is not a "pimp" and a "drug dealer" as those occupations have been simplified and dramatized in pop culture. What the Hell, Hero?: Nola calls DJay out on the fact that he manipulates her to get the things he wants – specifically, asking her to service the music shop owner so that he could get a better deal on some microphones.The movie's first achievement is to immerse us in the daily world of Djay, Howard's character.Wham Shot: DJay finds his mixtape in the toilet, which was tossed in by a drunk Skinny Black.Vocal Tag Team: DJay and Shug on their single "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp.".The Reveal: When Key asks DJay if he really knew Skinny Black, DJay admits that he lied.Misogyny Song: "Whoop That Trick" is about disciplining your prostitute.Fame has made him forsake his Memphis roots. Lexus, who neglects her young child and is openly rude and disrespectful.Hidden Depths: The meek Shug turns out to have a strong and passionate voice when she's singing.It, along with the gold chain he wears with pride, are supposed to show that he's still small-time in comparison to the platinum-bedecked stars. Get Out!: DJay kicks Lexus out of his house when she openly disrespects him.The Cameo: Musicians Isaac Hayes, Ludacris, Juicy J and Haystak all have small roles.Call-Back: DJay tells the prison guards who give him their demo "Everybody's got to have a dream, the same dismissive observation that Skinny Black gave him, albeit presumably in a more sincere tone this time around.Bowdlerise: Key suggests that DJay tone down the lyrics in one of his songs so that it can be radio-friendly.Bittersweet Ending: DJay goes to prison for 11 months, but on the outside, his songs are starting to get airplay, suggesting that he may become a success after all.It's the first overtly romantic gesture between them. Big Damn Kiss: Shug plants a giant kiss on DJay to wish him luck before his meeting with Skinny Black.DJay angrily confronts and beats Skinny Black when the latter shows no remorse for drunkenly tossing the former's mixtape in the toilet.
Asshole Victim: Although the punishment might not have fit the crime, Skinny Black qualifies.
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