Jason's Lyric

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Cast

Allen Payne
as Jason

Bokeem Woodbine
as Joshua

Jada Pinkett Smith
as Lyric

Forest Whitaker
as Maddog

Suzzanne Douglas
as Gloria

Anthony 'Treach' Criss
as Alonzo

Lisa Nicole Carson
as Marti

Adam su Kidron

Eddie Griffin
as Rat

Lahmard J. Tate
as Ron

Clarence Whitemore
as Elmo

Asheamu Earl Randle
as Teddy

Rushion McDonald
as Fast Freddy

Bebe Drake
as Ms. Murphy

Kenneth Randle
as Leroy

Wayne Dehart
as Street Preacher

Sean Hutchinson
as Jason (age 11)

Burleigh Moore
as Joshua (age 8)

Olivia Gatewood
as Carjack Victim

Ronald Lee
as Jelly

Ambrosio Guerra
as Latin Man

Michon Benson
as Black Girl

Erma DeMart
as Erma

Curtis Von Burrell
as Darryl

Jaye Delai Robinson
as Clown

Suzanne Mari
as Lola

Dwain Woodfork
as Bus Driver

Avery Dale Goodman
as Jazz Player

Sandy Denton
as Sandy

The Mad Hatter
as Himself

Bill Travis
as B.T.

Big Black
as Herself

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Critic Reviews for Jason's Lyric

Audience Reviews for Jason's Lyric

• Jul 20, 2011

  A man falls in love while attempting to curtail his brother's criminal behavior. If I recall correctly, this is John Singleton's fault. Though it's unfair to judge an artist based on his imitators, Singleton's <i>Boyz 'n the Hood</i> began a rash of "hood" films that eventually culminated in the Wayans brothers' parody of the genre. <i>Jason's Lyric</i> "feels like" an imitation, stuck in a particular time, fitting all the generic requirements in, unable to breathe on its own. The abusive father, the aspirations of escape, and the burgeoning love are all things we've seen from Singleton, and there's nothing radically new here. What is more, the love story plot, which, during the first hour of the film, is evenly interspersed with the "hood" plot, is so excessively sappy. Every elevator song you ever heard underscores Jason's courtship of Lyric, and the idyllic landscape gives the plot a maudlin feel. He washes her feet for Christ's sake! Then, the film tries to be realistic in the "hood" plot, and when the two plots converge, I couldn't shake the feeling that the film had multiple personality disorder. Forest Whitaker's performance during the film's first ten minutes as the damaged Vietnam vet was fantastic; Whitaker set the bar so high that it's no wonder the rest of the actors could only disappoint. Jada Pinkett is alluring and beautiful, but there's not much of a character here. It doesn't help her that the script gives her the most expository lines, especially before Jason reveals the truth about his dreams. Overall, this is a poor imitation of John Singleton; see <i>Boyz 'n the Hood</i> and you can tell everybody that you saw <i>Jason's Lyric</i> too.
  Jim H Super Reviewer
• Jul 26, 2009

  Suprisingly well acted by EVERY actor involved. . . A sweet love story that will please those who want to see it and suprise those who find themselves watching it "against their will".
  Miriam K Super Reviewer
• May 30, 2008

  This movie is pretty good and you get to see Jada's Booty
  khalvic b Super Reviewer
• Dec 26, 2007

  A personal favorite.
  Leo L Super Reviewer

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