Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

Jason's Lyric

R Released Sep 28, 1994 1h 59m Romance Crime Drama List
58% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In a violent, drug-infested neighborhood in Houston, Jason (Allen Payne) dreams of something better. He works as a TV salesman and helps out his mother, and tries to steer his criminally minded brother, Joshua (Bokeem Woodbine), onto the right path. But real joy enters Jason's life when he meets Lyric (Jada Pinkett). As their romance develops, Jason starts to see a future for himself -- while also being forced to confront a painful secret from his past.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Jason's Lyric

Jason's Lyric

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Jason's Lyric is a sexually charged film whose violent streak weakens or, depending on your perspective, supports the melodrama.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (24) Critics Reviews
Peter Rainer Los Angeles Times The film seems overextended and unbelievable both as love story and as urban tragedy. Jun 4, 2018 Full Review Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: C Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Deborah Young Variety Stumbles into a lame love story and ends in a conventional shootout and bloodbath. Jun 23, 2008 Full Review Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot The film does little to establish a different sense of place. The repeated imagery is to show the skyline of the city off in the distance, as if it were a mystic Emerald City, unattainable to these characters. Rated: 2/4 Feb 25, 2022 Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times Uncertain but uplifting. Rated: 3/5 Jun 4, 2018 Full Review Stephen Hunter Baltimore Sun Quite convincing and gripping. Jun 4, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (381) audience reviews
Autumn M Jason's Lyric is a very violent story of crime and love. Jason and Joshua are two brothers who have grown up in a crime-ridden town in Texas, and have also had to contend with a mentally ill father. Joshua can't seem to follow the straight and narrow path, while Jason is torn between his family and his love for Lyric. It is suppose to be heart-wrenching . but the story is not told in a way that really carries any emotional weight. I think they could have taken time to develop the brothers' characters a little better, and the writing was definitely lacking. There is a reason why this movie is not in the same league as Boyz in the Hood, Lean on Me, etc. Not recommended. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/19/24 Full Review Audience Member A love story born out of the rough side of a neighborhood Allen Payne, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Forest Whitaker, Bokeem Woodbine, Eddie Griffin In Houston, Texas ‘Mad Dog’ played by Whitaker has two sons, he used to be loving and joyful but seemed to have lost his mind after losing his ability to walk Years later Jason grows up to be a respectful guy but his brother chooses the criminal life After getting out of jail Joshua plans to rob a bank with more street thugs This could get in the way of Jason wanting a normal life but also a potential romance with a woman named Lyric She spends her time dreaming and fantasizing so she doesn’t have to deal with the rough toughness on the streets Jason also holds a heartbreaking secret about what happened to his family Maybe some souls are beyond saving, is anyone actually redeemable?, sometimes heroes have to walk away There’s actually some deep emotions going on in this one with a hip mix of music playing in the background By the time it reaches its conclusion it feels very melancholy but not at all downright depressing Great romantic leads and a good supporting effort by Woodbine as a sibling stuck doing what he only knows how Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/29/23 Full Review Audience Member This was a pretty thorough movie from beginning to end. I'd say it ranks as a cultural-classic! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member A love story born out of the rough side of a neighborhood Allen Payne, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Forest Whitaker, Bokeem Woodbine, Eddie Griffin In Houston, Texas ‘Mad Dog' played by Whitaker has two sons, he used to be loving and joyful but seemed to have lost his mind after losing his ability to walk Years later Jason grows up to be a respectful guy but his brother chooses the criminal life After getting out of jail Joshua plans to rob a bank with more street thugs This could get in the way of Jason wanting a normal life but also a potential romance with a woman named Lyric She spends her time dreaming and fantasizing so she doesn't have to deal with the rough toughness on the streets Jason also holds a heartbreaking secret about what happened to his family Maybe some souls are beyond saving, is anyone actually redeemable?, sometimes heroes have to walk away There's actually some deep emotions going on in this one with a hip mix of music playing in the background By the time it reaches its conclusion it feels very melancholy but not at all downright depressing Great romantic leads and a good supporting effort by Woodbine as a sibling stuck doing what he only knows how Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member This was such a lovely movie. It had the typical elements of a 90s black romance, laced with gangstas and violence, but it was so much more than that. It had moments of such beauty, tenderness, and raw emotion. The acting overall was very good as well. Worth seeing. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Beautifully filmed and well-knit story. Whitaker was his typical powerful presence. Love ALL his movies. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Jason's Lyric

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

True Romance 93% 93% True Romance Sleepers 73% 85% Sleepers Red Rock West 98% 75% Red Rock West Dead Man Walking 95% 86% Dead Man Walking Romeo Is Bleeding 27% 61% Romeo Is Bleeding Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis In a violent, drug-infested neighborhood in Houston, Jason (Allen Payne) dreams of something better. He works as a TV salesman and helps out his mother, and tries to steer his criminally minded brother, Joshua (Bokeem Woodbine), onto the right path. But real joy enters Jason's life when he meets Lyric (Jada Pinkett). As their romance develops, Jason starts to see a future for himself -- while also being forced to confront a painful secret from his past.
Director
Doug McHenry
Producer
Doug McHenry, George Jackson, Dwight Williams
Screenwriter
Bobby Smith Jr.
Production Co
The Jackson/McHenry Company, Propaganda Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Romance, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 28, 1994, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$20.3M
Runtime
1h 59m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
Most Popular at Home Now