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Paid in Full

Play trailer Poster for Paid in Full R Released Oct 25, 2002 1h 37m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
53% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In the late 1980s, Ace (Wood Harris) is a young man employed by a Harlem dry cleaning shop, working hard to stay out of the drug business. While making deliveries, he meets Lulu (Esai Morales), a drug dealer who convinces Ace to join him. Ace recruits his friends Mitch (Mekhi Phifer) and Rico (Cam'ron), and the trio become major players in the Harlem drug underworld, a violent business that will test the friends' loyalty and wits as the money rolls in and the dangers grow beyond their control.
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Paid in Full

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Critics Consensus

Though well-acted and non-exploitative, Paid in Full treads a very well-worn story.

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Critics Reviews

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Newsday Rated: 2.5/4 May 28, 2003 Full Review Atlanta Journal-Constitution Rated: C- Nov 5, 2002 Full Review Susan Stark Detroit News Rated: 2/4 Nov 3, 2002 Full Review Brian Costello Common Sense Media Violent crime drama about drug dealer has constant cursing. Rated: 4/5 Aug 7, 2018 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews hough it shows bling, strong feelings for the inner city and the acting is solid, the derivative story won't knock you out. Rated: B- May 12, 2017 Full Review Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Harris and Phifer's chemistry lends the inevitable tragedies some genuine punch. Rated: 3/4 Jan 27, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member It’s about driving these flashy cars getting with the ladies like that one right there and definitely never dressing like a brother like u man Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/16/24 Full Review Ronald R Great Movie!!! Highly Recommended!!!! A++ 🍿🎥🍿 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/24 Full Review Walter W VERY Underrated film; it's hated on because there were SO many movies that told similar stories of drug dealing urban gang rise and fall. The title seems to glorify it. If you liked Menace 2 society, Boys in Hood, Juice, then you'll really like Paid In Full. Fans of the Wire will recognize the gangster who wants to make $$ for all his people without victims, without the damage to his soul and the hood. "Everybody Eats" he says again and again. Greek Tragedy: The hero vs Gods and Fate, what the wire is always about. The Gods/Fate is The nature of the Game. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/01/24 Full Review TJ L instant Classic, a Beyond Authentic Portrayal of being a Drug Dealer in Harlem New York City back in the 1980's, R.i.P Alpo Martinez, R.i.P Rich Porter Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/22/23 Full Review Pilar P Paid in Full" is a gritty, powerful exploration of the treacherous world of drugs, betrayal, and the all-consuming allure of greed. Directed by Charles Stone III, this film dives headfirst into the depths of Harlem's drug trade in the 1980s, offering viewers a raw and unapologetic look at the consequences of selling drugs. Wood Harris delivers an unforgettable performance as Ace, a man who stands out from the crowd with his saavy and determination. He's a character who, despite being surrounded by crime, seems to possess an uncanny ability to avoid the pitfalls that ensnare others. Camron portrays Rico, a character whose path is a stark contrast to Ace's. Rico's choices, driven by ambition and greed, lead down a dark and ultimately self-destructive path. Cameron's performance as Rico is intense and believable, showing the descent of a man consumed by his own greed. The film's portrayal of Harlem during this tumultuous era is both captivating and heartbreaking. It captures the essence of the crack cocaine epidemic and the devastating impact it had on communities, families, and individuals. One of the film's strengths lies in its ability to draw the audience into the complex web of loyalty, betrayal, and survival. It raises thought-provoking questions about the choices people make when faced with limited opportunities and overwhelming temptation. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Critics don’t know anything about a truly amazing street story. Basically a perfect movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis In the late 1980s, Ace (Wood Harris) is a young man employed by a Harlem dry cleaning shop, working hard to stay out of the drug business. While making deliveries, he meets Lulu (Esai Morales), a drug dealer who convinces Ace to join him. Ace recruits his friends Mitch (Mekhi Phifer) and Rico (Cam'ron), and the trio become major players in the Harlem drug underworld, a violent business that will test the friends' loyalty and wits as the money rolls in and the dangers grow beyond their control.
Director
Charles Stone III
Producer
Brett Ratner, Damon Dash, Jay-Z
Screenwriter
Matthew Cirulnick, Thuliani Davis, Azie Faison Jr., Austin Phillips
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax Films, Dimension Films
Rating
R (Pervasive Language|Drug Content|Some Strong Sexuality|Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 25, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 20, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.0M
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Surround
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