Hustle and Flow is a terrifically entertaining film and even though the trailers suggest it might be similar to a movie like 8 Mile, it actually has more in common with underdog pictures such as Rocky and The Karate Kid.

The amazing Terrence Howard (who delivered a beautifully nuanced performance in the provocative masterpiece Crash) soars again as DJay, a pimp with big dreams. While DJay certainly makes his money in a shady profession, he has aspirations of a better life for himself and those around him. Upon learning that a man from his own neighborhood has made it big as a rap star, DJay decides that he has the talent and drive to make it big as well. Of course, he quickly learns that it takes more than talent. It takes some good fortune as well. With the help of old school buddy Key (an outstanding Anthony Anderson), a church keyboard player name Shelby (played by a nerdy but charming DJ Qualls of Road Trip fame), and a few of his female...employees, DJay attempts to beat the odds and pursue his dreams.

I really don't have enough kind words to say about Terrence Howard. This guy is the real deal and we're going to be seeing a lot of him in the future. His tremendous work and strong conviction takes what easily could have been a cartoonish role and makes him real flesh and blood. He's created a truly memorable character in the form of the flawed but likable DJay. This guy gives pimps a good name. Howard's amazing work came as absolutely no surprise to me as he was equally effective in Crash. Anthony Anderson, on the other hand, did surprise me. This is a subtle, charming turn, and Anderson has a natural, breezy way about him that doesn't really shine through in the usual slapstick stuff we've seen him in in the past couple of years (My Baby's Daddy, Barbershop etc.). After watching Hustle and Flow,

I had an opportunity to see him in another knock out performance in an episode of The Shield. I underestimated this funny man. He's got tremendous talent. DJ Qualls is fun, but I never entirely bought into that hip side. Perhaps that's because I'm so used to seeing him as a dork in movies like The Core. Still, it's nice to see him trying to break free of that stereotype. Also worth mentioning are the sensational actresses that populate the movie. Taraji P. Henson is endlessly sweet as Shug, the prostitute (and back up singer) who becomes the eye of DJay's affection. Taryn Manning is terrific as call girl Nola. While she's treated as a dumb white girl throughout much of the film, she eventually proves to have a surprising amount of smarts of her own. I also really enjoyed Elise Neal's turn as Key's understanding wife. While she doesn't entirely understand what it is Key is trying to do, she ultimately supports him. She and Anderson have some wonderful moments in this picture.

The film was produced by John Singleton (Boyz in the Hood) and directed by new comer Craig Brewer. Above all, Brewer knows how to work with actors. The comraderie amongst the cast is completely evident, and this is why the film really works. Yes, the scenes in which Djay, Key, and Shelby churn out catchy rap numbers (none more so than the infectious "Whoop That Trick") are dynamic and irresistible, but it is the human moments that really allow the movie to soar. In particular, I love the scenes between Djay and his ladies. He treats these women like family rather than pieces of meat (save for Paula Jai Parker's Lexus - with whom he has a personal and turbulent history), dispelling the idea of obvious stereotypes exposed in movies like the Hughes Brothers' immensely entertaining American Pimp. Djay is a fully textured character and comes across as such.

Hustle and Flow is also a fascinating look into what it takes to get noticed, particularly in the music world. Sometimes it takes a lot of hard work and sometimes it just takes a little luck. This film doesn't back down from showing the ugly side of celebrity either. A dreamer's hopes can be taken away just as easily as they can be bestowed as Djay finds out the hard way when encountering a once common thug from the hood turned big time rap star (the rapper is played with true swagger by Ludacris, who also happened to co-star with Terrence Howard in Crash).

Hustle and Flow steers clear of the gang banging attitude associated with many of the urban dramas we've seen through the years. It has something much more fresh on it's mind. One violent altercation does break out during the film, but what brings it on is most unexpected.

In the end though, Hustle and Flow is a hopeful film. It's dramatic, funny, charming and damned inspirational. With it's strong performances and gritty attitude, I'm convinced it will emerge as one of this summer's surprise hits