Story Line: "Superfly" is alive and well. Allen and Albert Hughes once again bring fresh insight into viewing urban America, with a film on street prostitutes (commonly referred to as "ho's" or "bitches"). The Hughes Brother's prior films Menace II Society (a masterpiece), and Dead Presidents demonstrated their ability to blend topics of interest about the inner city within the greater society.

American Pimp shares the thoughts and philosophies of the men who collect the money from women who walk the streets to perform sexual activities. They do this with men they didn't know five minutes ago; for not very much money, in not very attractive places. With respect to sex, it's "anti-love."

Pimps are interviewed in cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, New Orleans, Hollywood, Las Vegas, Washington DC and Atlanta. The one thing they have in common is that they collect all the money from the women who turn the tricks. Their personalities vary, with some coming across as the pimps we recall from the blaxploitation films of the 1970's, while others are more like white-collar businessmen.

One pimp in Hawaii tees up the little white ball at least four times a week on the very best golf courses. He fits right in as he plays with strangers, which is normal at resort courses, such as heart surgeons and highly placed businessmen in corporate America. A pimp in Los Angeles became so close with one of his whores that he married her and had a child. He's now out of the business and is a telemarketing manager.

As with most things, the devil is in the details, and that is what lends merit to American Pimp. We already kind of know that the life led by pimps and whores is glamorous in some aspects, but very dirty in others, and the film breaks no major new ground there. We do, however, learn a lot we did not know, and more often than not it's both interesting and funny. Consider the statement by a pimp that "A ho cannot be a ho without a pimp." It seems that the role of the pimp is not to get the streetwalker business, but to ensure her money is managed properly, that she has a place to live and is in general, protected. This is a movie about pimps and not the women they manage (hence the title). It is difficult to knock the film for not telling me more about why the women permit themselves to be used in such a demeaning manner.

The thought of a streetwalker bringing in $1,000-$1,600 a day, with a range of $80 to $150 per john, tells you that they are not always walking the streets and that it's not about love. The money gets many of the women off the streets from a homeless environment, and sometimes, free of drugs. The pimps don't want their women hooked on drugs because they can't take care of business. While the women have shelter, the pimps have fancy cars, custom made Versace suits and $1,000 Gator shoes.

Pimp society creates its own status and recognition, as evidenced by the annual presentation of the Pimp of the Year Trophy (I'm not kidding). Pimps understand marketing and run competitive, mostly non-violent organizations, unlike urban gangs.

Pimps have created their own terminology. "All across the bubble" refers to a business that has merit around the world. A "fresh turnout" is a streetwalker who has been working for less than 30 days.

Tell Me More About It: One is tempted to list the pimps as actors in this documentary, as at times I was not sure what was real and what was for the cameras. I do believe the life they showed was real and that being on this new stage brought out some innate acting talent as well. To be an American Pimp you must be an "actor" to deal with your competition and to manage your employees (I've never used the term this loosely before and the IRS might just agree).

The music in American Pimp culls some of the best of the 1970's sounds that have not yet been used in TV commercials. Some seldom-heard great songs from Marvin Gaye, and The Ohio Players are included.

The use of the terms "ho" and "bitch" are in their proper perspective in American Pimp. This is in contrast to the use of those terms that some hip-hop rappers use in their songs when they refer to loved ones, friends and associates. To the extent I have an issue with rap music, it's not because of its protest related elements, but its lack of respect for women. If one does not respect women, or life in general, why should I respect them and give credence to their opinions on the issues of the day?

A "ho" or "bitch" is a woman who sells herself for money by walking the streets. A "prostitute" is one who may work in a massage parlor or escort service. In the state of Nevada, prostitution is legal. The men who run these establishments could also be called pimps. The king of pimps is Hugh Hefner, of "Playboy" fame, as he exploits women in a totally different way. Yet with him, the exploitation is more of a two way street. It seems that any woman brought to the public eye because of sleeping with a politician goes for a spread in Playboy. Usually the next step is to write a best selling book or launch a business.

While there is glamour in the lifestyle of pimps, ho's, bitches and prostitutes, The Hughes Brothers don't let them off easy. We learn that some go to jail, some die and some go crazy. It's a slippery slope of the streetlife that is best left to somebody else and in a perfect world, nobody else.

Allen Hughes: "Dead Presidents"	Albert Hughes: "Menace II Society"