Hustle & Flow
Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
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  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    Every good actor has a season when he comes into his own, and this is Terrence Howard's time.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    91
    The home-studio recording sequences in Hustle & Flow are funky, rowdy, and indelible. Brewer gives us the pleasure of watching characters create music from the ground up.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jami Bernard
    88
    The feel-good movie of the summer. And the song this pimp works up, about how hard it is to manage a stable of ho's, is catchy and moving.
  4. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: M. E. Russell
    100
    The writing, acting and filmmaking make Hustle & Flow nothing short of amazing.
  5. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    90
    In a world of movies that try far too hard to move, entertain and dazzle us, the artistry of Hustle & Flow lies in the way it waits for us to come to it. We can walk as slowly as we want, but sooner or later, it's going to get us.
  6. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Bill White
    83
    Speaks in the raw mumble of the dirty South. A regional film in the truest sense, it does for Memphis what its producer, John Singleton, once did for South Central Los Angeles.
  7. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Ann Hornaday
    90
    The performances are accomplished, but the real star of Hustle & Flow is Brewer, a playwright who has written and directed a few other movies but who is effectively making a breathtaking national debut here.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 49
  3. Negative: 6 out of 49
  1. JawsPapi87
    9
    The realistic and believable depiction of Howard's character's life isn't what makes this movie so great. This is one of the movies that is solid in almost everything, writing and story wise but is made great by the acting. Especially Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Hoawrd deliver stellar performances… Full Review »
  2. juliankleiss
    7
    Does well in capturing the creative moment/process of a musician. Encourages to have a dream and work for it, to eventually break out of an unfulfilling everyday routine. Claims to give insight into an average pimp's life. A few magical (musical) moments, worth watching.… Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    9
    This movie looked... unwatchable to me until I watched it, then I realized what a knock your socks off kind of movie is.
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