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Brown Sugar

Play trailer Poster for Brown Sugar PG-13 Released Oct 11, 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 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? Rated: 2.5/5 Nov 19, 2002 Full Review Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution It's predictable, but it jumps through the expected hoops with style and even some depth. Rated: B+ Oct 26, 2002 Full Review Ann Hornaday Washington Post You don't have to know about music to appreciate the film's easygoing blend of comedy and romance. Oct 11, 2002 Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn 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. Rated: 2/5 Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn 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. Rated: 3/5 Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Kat Halstead Common Sense Media 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. Rated: 3/5 Jun 22, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Danielle L 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 🔥. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/13/25 Full Review Audience Member Matched up perfectly with my age was breakdancing in 84 as an 8 and 9 year old Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Beautiful romantic feature I have ever seen. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Hip hop and love all in one movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member It's good movie to watch Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member F yes! Love this movie!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Brown Sugar

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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

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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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