Hustle & Flow Movie Review

I'm doing an entrepreneurial class because I'm clearly looking at all available angles here. So we were told to assemble a group and the first assignment was to do a movie review of an entrepreneurial themed movie.  My group picked Hustle & Flow and I'm not sure about how many people have watched Hustle & Flow but it's a remarkable movie about a man who dares to reach for a dream. And I wanted to share that assignment and hope that something special can be communicated. 

Here it is:

The movie entitled “Hustle and Flow” is a movie that possesses several entrepreneurial themes. But it is more than that. We understand the movie to be much deeper than what initially meets the eye. “[Hustle and Flow]...is not just about a pimp trying to become a rapper, but the saga of a man trying to make a better way of life.” (Words of Terrance Howard in an interview). It is then, the story about a pimp with a dream.

    The main character DJay (Terrance Howard) is pimp and a drug dealer from Memphis, Tennessee. His love for music is reignited when he obtains a mini-piano from a druggie outside a strip-club in exchange for a small amount of drugs. The rest of the movie chronicles his journey towards a better life. One in which he intends to use music, his rejuvenated passion, focus and motivation to pave a new path for himself and those around him. He re-unites with a childhood friend ‘Key’ (Anthony Anderson), who is now a sound technician. The pair, along with a Caucasian sound mixer named Shelby (Dj Qualls), begin to make music together. In doing so they show the audience that networking and being team oriented are very important aspects of being a successful entrepreneur.

The movie uses DJay’s businesses to establish a unique family-based support system for his dream but in doing so does not fail to highlight the realistic support structure of any given entrepreneurial endeavor - that is the summed up in the three “F’s” of a business model. Nola (Taryn Manning) is a prostitute that DJay ‘pimps out’, her role in his life is not unlike that of a dutiful Friend who also doubles as financial backing. Paula Jai Parker or the character Lexus, a stripper that DJay manages, does her part to signify the role of the Fool when she shows how little she thinks of his dream and its possible success. DJay’s Family is fully embodied by the soft spoken but ever encouraging character that is Shug (Taraji Penda Henson). Shug’s character goes beyond the importance of money, to show the audience the significance of emotional encouragement behind all the other very physical factors that are a large part of building a business.

Djay is also a known drug dealer; a skill that comes in handy when he is offered the opportunity to have an audience with rapper, ‘Skinny Black’ (Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges). In these scenes we can see where communication is key, we can see resourcefulness and sheer determination presenting itself. It must also be noted that all the jobs that are associated with Djay all share one common attribute and that is a high level of risk-taking.

DJay is definitely an entrepreneur exhibiting numerous attributes that qualify him as such. He shows resourcefulness and innovation when he and Key use cup holders to soundproof a room in his house in an effort to craft a make-shift studio. He  is most definitely a salesman and a great negotiator, which can be seen in the scenes when his has to “sell” himself and his music to Skinny Black. Also in the scene where he is unable to afford a studio quality microphone and he arranges for Nola to ‘entertain’ the store owner in exchange for this expensive piece of equipment. His leadership qualities presents themselves when Nola shows just how upset she was about the situation that occurred with the store owner, he puts her unease to rest and reassures her to continue her part in getting the work done. He showcases his ability with problem solving when he persuades his neighbours with some of Memphis’s finest herbs to turn down their music so he can start a recording session. This communicative and persuasive ability is exemplified numerous times throughout the movie as DJay’s strongest asset.

However, DJay is not the only character who shows true entrepreneurial spirit. He refers to Nola as his primary investor as she becomes the backbone of his finances. Towards the end of the movie when she promises to be “in charge” and is able to get DJay’s music on the radio all by herself while he is incarcerated, she presents exemplary leadership skills. Key and Shelby both come to prioritize the music production process over their own jobs. Key even jeopardizes his marriage to pursue this passion, reinforcing the attribute of risk-taking.

The title of the movie itself is significant. Hustle -“all day, every day”, a continuous effort that is symbolic of a take no prisoners approach to development. Flow - “wisdom and patience” which is seen as a counterpoint of hustle and is also symbolic of strategy. It is therefore evident that the movie highlights many entrepreneurial themes. As even its title shows one has to be adaptable, strategic, team-oriented purposeful and most importantly determined and self motivated.

In conclusion, our opinion of “Hustle and Flow” is that it is a very good example of an entrepreneurial activity as it highlights very significant and important aspects, concepts and themes of entrepreneurship. Whether it be legal or illegal it also teaches individuals to go into business for themselves not entirely for the money but for the passion, the love of the craft or service, for the dream.