Our favorite Oscar long shots: Taraji P. Henson

Our favorite Oscar long shots: Taraji P. Henson

Though it’s hardly anyone’s idea of an ideal romance, the lopsided, unhealthy connection between a pimp and his chief whore in Hustle & Flow is one of this year’s most emotionally complicated on-screen relationships. And that definitely has as much to do with unsung team player Taraji P. Henson’s unabashedly fragile portrayal of Shug, the proverbial hooker with a heart of gold, as with Terrence Howard’s critically heralded performance as the hustler, DJay. As a worker who’s lost her function — she’s pregnant — Henson’s childlike efforts to prove her worthiness to an arguably unworthy man are touching.