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Brown Sugar

Play trailer Poster for Brown Sugar PG-13 2002 1h 49m Romance Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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66% Tomatometer 86 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) can attribute their friendship and the launch of their careers to one single childhood instant ... witnessing the birth of hip-hop on a New York street corner. Now some 15 years later, she is a revered music critic and he is a successful, though unfulfilled, music executive. Both come to realize that their true life passions will only be fulfilled by remembering what they learned that day on the corner.
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Brown Sugar

Brown Sugar

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Critics Consensus

Though predictable and possibly too sweet, Brown Sugar is charming, well-acted, and smarter than typical rom-com fare.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Nayman eye WEEKLY 11/19/2002
2.5/5
True to its title, this hip-hop When Harry Met Sally is plenty sweet, but is that what we really want from a film set in the world of rap music? Go to Full Review Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution 10/26/2002
B+
It's predictable, but it jumps through the expected hoops with style and even some depth. Go to Full Review Ann Hornaday Washington Post 10/11/2002
You don't have to know about music to appreciate the film's easygoing blend of comedy and romance. Go to Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn 02/14/2023
2/5
I love a good romantic comedy that gives me meat and potatoes. But this just gave me a salad. I wanted to enjoy this more but the script, particularly regarding Dre's character, fell flat for me. Go to Full Review Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn 02/14/2023
3/5
It's a solid romantic comedy that doesn't quite hold the main characters accountable for their actions for other love interests. But I absolutely love this soundtrack. Go to Full Review Kat Halstead Common Sense Media 06/22/2022
3/5
It's pretty formulaic stuff, but the performances from both leads and the supporting characters -- particularly Queen Latifah and Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def) -- elevate this romcom above the usual fare. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Noel L Oct 12 This is like My Best Friend's Wedding but the main protagonists get a happy ending See more Danielle L Sep 13 Just Dope... Fresh story especially with the infusion of the hip-hop documentary concept, great acting ...Purely nostalgic for those of us that are from this era...100 % fire 🔥. See more 11/03/2021 Matched up perfectly with my age was breakdancing in 84 as an 8 and 9 year old See more 06/28/2020 Beautiful romantic feature I have ever seen. See more 08/21/2017 Hip hop and love all in one movie. See more 02/19/2017 It's good movie to watch See more Read all reviews
Brown Sugar

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Rick Famuyiwa

Director

Taye Diggs

Dre

Sanaa Lathan

Sidney

Yasiin Bey

Chris

Nicole Ari Parker

Reese

Boris Kodjoe

Kelby

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Brown Sugar

Left to Right: Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs in Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Sanaa Lathan and Boris Kodjoe in Brown Sugar. From Left Bottom Clockwise: Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Reggi Wyns, Erik Weiner, Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan in Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Queen Latifah and Mos Def in Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan in Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs in Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs and Director/Writer Rick Famuyiwa on the set of Brown Sugar. Left to Right: Nicole Ari Parker and Sanaa Lathan in Brown Sugar. Brown Sugar (2002) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) can attribute their friendship and the launch of their careers to one single childhood instant ... witnessing the birth of hip-hop on a New York street corner. Now some 15 years later, she is a revered music critic and he is a successful, though unfulfilled, music executive. Both come to realize that their true life passions will only be fulfilled by remembering what they learned that day on the corner.
Director
Rick Famuyiwa
Producer
Peter Heller
Screenwriter
Michael Elliot, Rick Famuyiwa, Michael Elliot
Distributor
Fox
Production Co
Evergreen Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 11, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$27.4M
Runtime
1h 49m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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