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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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Niko H The tomatometer is completely useless, this movie is a one of the kind with much deeper lessons then what’s on the surface & people with no life experience can’t read the writing on the wall. you will be doing yourself a great disservice by not giving this movie the chance it deserves. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/17/25 Full Review Todd B I loved the movie. Superb acting. Great job. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/01/25 Full Review Tony P A great movie depicting the reality of the 80’s drug era. An unlikely kingpin without the propensity to the violence that’s needed in that world undergoes hard lessons, tragedy, and betrayal. Ultimately realizing the treasure he would acquire would pale in comparison to the human cost he would endure. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/11/25 Full Review Thomas W True story lot more could of been done with more money as far as telling the story however must see good cast Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/06/24 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Paid in Full

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Cast & Crew

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Charles Stone III

Director

Wood Harris

Ace

Mekhi Phifer

Mitch

Kevin Carroll

Calvin

Esai Morales

Lulu

Chi McBride

Pip

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Paid in Full

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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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