Paid in Full (2002)

A young man from Harlem, forced to cope with the 1980s drug scene, builds an illegal empire, only to have a crisis of conscience.

Director:

Charles Stone III

Writers:

Azie Faison Jr. (earlier screenplay), Austin Phillips (earlier screenplay),

Stars:

Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer, Kevin Carroll

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Wood Harris	...	Ace
Mekhi Phifer	...	Mitch
Kevin Carroll	...	Calvin
Esai Morales	...	Lulu
Chi McBride	...	Pip
Cam'ron	...	Rico
Remo Greene	...	Sonny
Cynthia Martells	...	Dora
Elise Neal	...	Aunt June
Regina Hall	...	Kiesha
Joyce Walker	...	Janet Woods (as Joyce Walker Joseph)
Ron C. Jones	...	Ice (as Ron Cephas Jones)
Nelson Tynes	...	Wedge
Karen Andrew	...	Cakes
Pedro Salvín	...	Columbian Man #1 (as Pedro Salvin)

Storyline

Ace is an impressionable young man working for a dry cleaning business. His friend, drug dealer Mitch goes to prison. In an unrelated incident, he finds some cocaine in a pants pocket. Soon, Ace finds himself dealing cocaine for Lulu. Via lucky breaks and solid interpersonal skills, Ace moves to the top of the Harlem drug world. Of course, unfaithful employees and/or rivals conspire to bring about Ace's fall.

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Plot Keywords:

drug dealer | dry cleaning | evil man | convicted felon | ex convict | 

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Taglines:

The American Dream... Their way.

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Genres:

Drama | Action | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, pervasive language, some strong sexuality and drug content

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Strassen Harlems

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$25,657 (South Africa) (7 May 2004)

Gross:

$25,657 (South Africa) (7 May 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimension Films, Loud Films, Rat Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the true story of Azie Faison Jr., Alberto Martinez and Richard Porter. The trio controlled much of the drug trade in New York City in the 1980's.

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Goofs

When Mitch and Ace are talking in the red BMW if you look at the background as they are driving by you can see what appears to be a 90s model Ford Explorer and also a second generation Nissan Pathfinder in front of it.

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Quotes

Ace: I got shot in the head, baby!

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Connections

Referenced in Kanye West: College Dropout - Video Anthology (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Blaze"
Written by Melle Mel (as Melvin Glover) & Michael Breunig
(Giant Size Music BMI/Zulu King Ent. BMI/Phoenix Cloak Sounds BMI)
Performed by Melle Mel
Courtesy of ACM Records

User Reviews

I was waiting for this...

I am very happy that the life story of Alpo, Rich Porter and AZ has come out, I saw the movie and I was mezmerized. Mekhi Phifer(Rich Porter) and David Sherwin Harris(AZ)(Above The Rim, Remember The Titans) do great as the legendary drug kingpins AZ and the now deceased Rich Porter. It really tells how crack cocaine blew up the way it did in the 80's and how "REAL" the crack game really is- How the up can make you feel on top of the world and how fast one can hit rock bottom in the game. The surprise came from Cam'ron as the now incarcerated druglord Alpo. This was a great movie and I also recommend the street documentary "Game Over" hosted by AZ which is also based on the lives of Alpo, Rich Porter and AZ.

A street classic 10/10