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Paid in Full
Miramax Films / Dimension Films


9.7

based on 16 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 18 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

FILM:

MPAA RATING: R for violence, pervasive language, some strong sexuality and drug content

Starring Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer, Cam'ron, Elise Neal, Kevin Carroll, Jonas Chernick, and Esai Morales

Amidst the 1980s drug scene in Harlem, a young native (Harris) builds an illegal empire only to have a crisis of conscience.

GENRE(S):	Drama
WRITTEN BY:	Matthew Cirulnick Thulani Davis Azie Faison Jr. (earlier screenplay) Austin Phillips (earlier screenplay)
DIRECTED BY:	Charles Stone III
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: April 8, 2003 Video: April 8, 2003 Theatrical: October 25, 2002
RUNNING TIME:	93 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

It's good, hard-edged stuff, violent and a bit exploitative but also nicely done, morally alert and street-smart.

Miami Herald Keith Cassidy

An intelligent crime drama, not because of the criminal activity it dramatizes but because of its powerful examination of the forces that drive criminals.

The New York Times Stephen Holden

An unpretentious, sociologically pointed slice of life.

Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach

Paid In Full's performances - especially by the always-engaging Phifer -- are strong, its message worthwhile and its sincerity doubtless.

New York Post Megan Lehmann

Apart from the slightly sanitized look of Reagan-era Harlem, this raw ghetto drama rings true, from the smooth dialogue to the unaffected performances of the central actors.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

The movie is ambitious, has good energy and is well-acted, but tells a familiar story in a familiar way. The parallels to Brian De Palma's "Scarface" are underlined by scenes from that movie which are watched by the characters in this one.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

The direction has a fluid, no-nonsense authority, and the performances by Harris, Phifer and Cam'ron seal the deal.

Chicago Reader Fred Camper

Paid in Full isn't a complete success; still, it moves beyond many cliches to create an honest portrait of several Harlem drug kingpins on their way up and inevitably down.

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

A vivid telling of a familiar story -- the rise and fall of a street criminal -- bolstered by exceptional performances and a clear-eyed take on the economics of dealing and the pathology of ghetto fabulousness.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

A fake street drama that keeps telling you things instead of showing them, though Mekhi Phifer, playing a hustler who loves the life, is electric and true.

San Francisco Chronicle Carla Meyer

Dreary.

Boston Globe Ty Burr

The only victims in Paid in Full are the dealers and their families -- and the only word for that is one this paper can't print.

Variety Scott Foundas

Begins as a serious, straightforward account of the origins of the cocaine trade and "gangsta" culture in 1980s Harlem, but then downward spirals due to a weak plot and gratuitous violence.

LA Weekly Ernest Hardy

Lazily directed by Charles Stone III (the man behind Budweiser's "Whassup?!" campaign) from a leaden script by Matthew Cirulnick and novelist Thulani Davis.

Los Angeles Times Jan Stuart

a freefall into urban hell that doesn't give us The impetus to jump or the awful gratification of the ride.

Village Voice Ben Kenigsberg

As superficial as his 1999 short film "True," the inspiration for Budweiser's "Whassup?" commercials, Charles Stone III's feature debut is set in a 1986 Harlem that doesn't look much like anywhere in New York.

The average user rating for this movie is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 18 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

erasmoe gave it a10:
This movie made me buy the game over documentary as soon as i saw it. This movie was off the hook. Im even trying to get the f.e.d.s. mag. 1st issue who has alpo on the fron cover and says he's side of the story. hot movie.

mario j. gave it a10:
This movie was two thumbs up.

Dee D gave it a10:
True Story! Excellent! For most people who don't know this is a true story. It depicts the life and times of three friends enticed by the drug world. The characters are real people and the names as well as the storyline does not deviate from the truth. Very good and well put together movie.

JD gave it a10:
Man come on, this is the real deal truth comin straight from Harlem. Do research on Rich Porter this man aint no phony. Rich was doin it big takin over the streets and makin that money. People gettin jealous got in the way and messed him all up. Friends had turned on him and everything was headed downward all because of GREED. People get jelous when they see someone with fat pockets and they get mad cause they aint got it like that. Porter was doin his thing hustlin and havin fun. Everyone wants to be makin money where all you gotta do is reach in your pocket and exchange it into new hands and collect your bread, but not everyone knows how or is scared to. Thats why to me my man Rich Porter was a Braveheart . Even though he was doin wrong he still had money on his mind and his mind on his money.

Wolff J. gave it a10:
This movie is very good. This movie explain really what was going on in the 80's in harlem with the drug buisiness! this movie show the reality how they hustle and get real money. this movie make you think a lot,you can see the real fact, drama, fame, succes, hapiness, jalousy etc. Paid full is like a documentary on how to make money in harlem back in the days! Eveyrthing is true you can see it! You got to have some movies like that IT IS REAL!

Mario K. gave it a 10:
This is a good movie that should have been shown nation-wide.

Kareem S. gave it a 10:
I love this movie it tells about Rich AZ and Alpo. this was the best Roc-A-Fella film I ever saw.

Paid in Full Miramax Films / Dimension Films

Paid in Full
Miramax Films / Dimension Films