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      Poetic Justice

      1993, Romance/Comedy, 1h 50m

      32 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      Poetic Justice is commendably ambitious and boasts a pair of appealing stars, but they're undermined by writer-director John Singleton's frustrating lack of discipline. Read critic reviews

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      Poetic Justice  Photos

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      Movie Info

      Still grieving after the murder of her boyfriend, hairdresser Justice (Janet Jackson) writes poetry to deal with the pain of her loss. Unable to get to Oakland to attend a convention because of her broken-down car, Justice gets a lift with her friend, Iesha (Regina King) and Iesha's postal worker boyfriend, Chicago (Joe Torry). Along for the ride is Chicago's co-worker, Lucky (Tupac Shakur), to whom Justice grows close after some initial problems. But is she ready to open her heart again?

      • Rating: R

      • Genre: Romance, Comedy

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: John Singleton

      • Producer: Steve Nicolaides, John Singleton

      • Writer: John Singleton

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $27.5M

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Columbia Tristar

      • Production Co: New Deal Productions, Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures Corporation

      • Sound Mix: Surround

      Cast & Crew

      News & Interviews for Poetic Justice

      Critic Reviews for Poetic Justice

      Audience Reviews for Poetic Justice

      • Apr 14, 2021

        Great opening. John Singleton laces nods to classic battle-of-the-sexes flicks through the DNA of his modern-day South Central roadtrip relationship drama. Jackson and Shakur both give tender performances as equally stubborn PYTs and they've got the chemistry to boot. Because 'Poetic Justice' tries to cover a lot of ground narratively, particularly with the supporting couple's relationship, I feel like we miss more of the backend development of Justice and Lucky's romance. A lot of screentime is devoted to how much they don't get along and not enough to the elements they are genuinely connecting over (everyone's excessive bickering does become grating). The transitions are a tad clunky at times, but the omnipresent theme of harmony keeps 'Justice' engaging throughout. Singleton uses his flawed characters wisely to demonstrate the chaos they bring onto themselves and it's exactly that transparency that keeps me onboard as they stumble and claw for the best versions of themselves.

        marisol m Super Reviewer
      • Aug 08, 2008

        Not one of Singleton's best, but the story was ok. The actors/singers placed to play the lead characters were a bit annoying, but Regina King was the best whom always get's into her role, and stole the show from the two main characters. Mayo Angelou's poems are great, which is quoted by Janet Jackson in this ok movie. I liked it and it was amusing, but they just did not bring out the roles as they should have.

        Super Reviewer
      • Jun 11, 2008

        1 of my favorite movies RIP 2pac

        Super Reviewer
      • Jun 09, 2008

        I had my fingers crossed for a sex scene between <a href="http://www.flixster.com/actor/tupac-shakur">Tupac</a> and <a href="http://www.flixster.com/actor/maya-angelou">Maya Angelou</a>.

        Super Reviewer

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