by MARK SLUTSKY

Being a Sundance hit can be a mixed blessing - for every sex, lies, and videotape there's a Happy, Texas that goes nowhere. One of the most talked-about films at this year's festival was Craig Brewer's Hustle & Flow, the story of a Memphis pimp who is an aspiring rapper. The movie's finally being released to mass audiences, but is it worth the hype?

Well, yes and no. Hustle & Flow is an entertaining movie with some very good performances, but don't go in expecting any kind of masterpiece, or any serious deviation from the Hollywood norm. It's basically a typical tale of persistence and daring to dream against all odds, well-made but with the edges rounded off.

Terrence Howard (who's been a supporting presence in movies for over 10 years, with roles in Big Momma's House, Ray, Crash and a couple dozen more) is very good - direct and intense - as hustler/flow-er DJay, a guy who knows he's getting older and feels like he's in a premature midlife crisis. Learning that a local-rapper-made-good (real-life rapper Ludacris, who's great on screen) is going to be visiting town in a few weeks, DJay marshals his resources and sets to recording a demo in the hopes of slipping it to the star. With the help of an old school buddy (Anthony Anderson), a funky white kid (DJ Qualls), and the women he "employs" (Taryn Manning, Taraji P. Henson and Elise Neal), he just might make it!

The movie does have its strengths - there are some great scenes, and one in particular, between Howard and Ludacris when the hustler finally gets up the nerve to pass over his tape, is notably tense and satisfying.

But, as glad as I am to see the world of Southern rap represented on movie screens across the continent, the film feels a little fake, despite its grime (and it does look great). Howard is possibly the nicest pimp ever; he's non-violent, he doesn't have his prostitutes hooked on drugs, and the worst he ever does is raise his voice. In fact, they're just a loveable team - practically a family! In the end, Hustle & Flow is more Rocky than Raging Bull.

HUSTLE & FLOW OPENS FRIDAY, JULY 22

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