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

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Movie Info

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.

Cast & Crew

Wood Harris
Ace
Mekhi Phifer
Mitch
Kevin Carroll
Calvin
Esai Morales
Lulu
Chi McBride
Pip
Cam'ron
Rico
Remo Green
Sonny
Cynthia Martells
Dora
Elise Neal
Aunt Jane
Regina Hall
Kiesha
Charles Stone III
Director
Matthew Cirulnick
Screenwriter
Thuliani Davis
Screenwriter
Azie Faison Jr.
Screenwriter
Austin Phillips
Screenwriter
Ron Rotholz
Executive Producer
Jesse Berdinka
Executive Producer
Brett Ratner
Producer
Damon Dash
Producer
Shawn Carter
Producer
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Critic Reviews for Paid in Full

All Critics (43) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (20)

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Audience Reviews for Paid in Full

  • Jul 10, 2011
    Paid in Full has a gritty realistic quality that is excellent in its' world building. It's well acted by largely unknowns, and succeeds in painting a real picture of Harlem without making it glamorous. The pacing, however is uneven, with the film seemingly dragging at points. More time should also have been devoted to fleshing out some of the characters. Still, its realism reminded me of The Wire, the greatest crime show ever.
    Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 29, 2008
    bombazz movie, good story, 3 good actors doin there thang on screen. a instant classic a must have
    khalvic b Super Reviewer
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