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:

Mekhi Phifer, Wood Harris, Chi McBride

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 Cephas Jones	...	Ice
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:

hood | ghetto | restaurant | n word | fast food restaurant | 

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Taglines:

The American Dream... Their way.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Six people were actually held prisoner in the scene where Ace and a friend were bundled into the apartment by Calvin's accomplices who demanded the combination. All six were shot in the head when the extortion attempt failed and three died, including Faison's aunt. The real life Calvin, Kevin Clark was not murdered in a revenge killing by Rico, as is depicted in the film. Kevin Clark and his accomplices, Ronald Timmons and Henry Bolden were all arrested soon after the incident and are serving 112 years - to life sentences.

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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 Adventures in Moviegoing: Josh and Bennie Safdie (2020)

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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

Surprising Treat!

If I had realized that this was a gangster/hip-hop generation flick before I purchased it on pay-per-view, I would have never watched it. But I gave it a chance in an attempt to not waste my money. It was really well done. The acting was believable and in depth and the movie was superbly casted. It kept my attention, kept me involved and was narrated by a character that was likeable and credible. Well-done.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paid in Full

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,328,789, 27 October 2002

Gross USA:

$3,090,862

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,116,526

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