With help from his friends, a Memphis pimp (Terrence Howard)in a mid-life crisis attempts to become a successful hip-hop emcee.

Surprise, surprise, a film about a Memphis pimp turned hip-hop star is not as crass and unwatchable as one might expect. There are numerous films with hookers with a heart of gold, Hustle & Flow is the first pimp with a heart of gold I’ve ever seen. Terrence Howard’s “Djay” was poignant, believable and remarkably acted. Taraji P. Henson’s “Shug”, one of Djay’s prostitutes was also very moving and well acted. Howard was nominated for both a Golden Globe and Oscar, and though he didn’t win, it was well dserved.

Except for a couple of scenes that crossed the “cheesy” line, including that one where Djay and Shug kiss for the first time, Hustle and Flow was well written. The story was believable. The directing was solid. Definitely worth a rent.