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      Jason's Lyric

      1994, Romance/Crime, 1h 59m

      24 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

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      Critics Consensus

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

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      Jason's Lyric  Photos

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      Movie Info

      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.

      • Rating: R

      • Genre: Romance, Crime, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Doug McHenry

      • Producer: Doug McHenry, George Jackson, Dwight Williams

      • Writer: Bobby Smith Jr.

      • Release Date (Theaters):  limited

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $20.3M

      • Runtime:

      • Production Co: The Jackson/McHenry Company, Propaganda Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

      • Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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      News & Interviews for Jason's Lyric

      Critic Reviews for Jason's Lyric

      Audience Reviews for Jason's Lyric

      • Jul 20, 2011

        A man falls in love while attempting to curtail his brother's criminal behavior. If I recall correctly, this is John Singleton's fault. Though it's unfair to judge an artist based on his imitators, Singleton's <i>Boyz 'n the Hood</i> began a rash of "hood" films that eventually culminated in the Wayans brothers' parody of the genre. <i>Jason's Lyric</i> "feels like" an imitation, stuck in a particular time, fitting all the generic requirements in, unable to breathe on its own. The abusive father, the aspirations of escape, and the burgeoning love are all things we've seen from Singleton, and there's nothing radically new here. What is more, the love story plot, which, during the first hour of the film, is evenly interspersed with the "hood" plot, is so excessively sappy. Every elevator song you ever heard underscores Jason's courtship of Lyric, and the idyllic landscape gives the plot a maudlin feel. He washes her feet for Christ's sake! Then, the film tries to be realistic in the "hood" plot, and when the two plots converge, I couldn't shake the feeling that the film had multiple personality disorder. Forest Whitaker's performance during the film's first ten minutes as the damaged Vietnam vet was fantastic; Whitaker set the bar so high that it's no wonder the rest of the actors could only disappoint. Jada Pinkett is alluring and beautiful, but there's not much of a character here. It doesn't help her that the script gives her the most expository lines, especially before Jason reveals the truth about his dreams. Overall, this is a poor imitation of John Singleton; see <i>Boyz 'n the Hood</i> and you can tell everybody that you saw <i>Jason's Lyric</i> too.

        Super Reviewer
      • Jul 26, 2009

        Suprisingly well acted by EVERY actor involved. . . A sweet love story that will please those who want to see it and suprise those who find themselves watching it "against their will".

        Super Reviewer
      • May 30, 2008

        This movie is pretty good and you get to see Jada's Booty

        Super Reviewer
      • Dec 26, 2007

        A personal favorite.

        Super Reviewer

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