Jason's Lyric

R

Released Sep 28, 1994

1 hr. 59 min.

Romance

Crime

Drama

List

58%

24 Reviews

Tomatometer

90%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Feb 27

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Rent Jason's Lyric on Fandango at Home, or buy it on Fandango at Home.

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

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

Victoria S

Horrible film. Did not know what type of a movie it wanted to be. Gritty hood film? Erotic film? Love story?. It is hilarious to see all these fake a$$ 5 star ratings. Lol

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/22

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

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Doug McHenry

Director

Allen Payne

Jason Alexander

Jada Pinkett Smith

Lyric

Bokeem Woodbine

Joshua Alexander

Treach

Alonzo

Lisa Nicole Carson

Marti

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

93%

93%

True Romance

73%

85%

Sleepers

98%

75%

Red Rock West

95%

86%

Dead Man Walking

27%

61%

Romeo Is Bleeding

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Prime Video and Freevee in September 2022

View more photos

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

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
Executive Producer: Clarence Avant, Suzanne Broderick
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
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

Most Popular at Home Now