Poetic Justice (1993)
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31% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
82% of users liked it
(37,512 ratings)
R&B star Janet Jackson made an impressive film debut in Poetic Justice as Justice, a hairdresser at a small salon in South Central Los Angeles. Justice uses her poetry to deal with her grief after her boyfriend is killed in a shooting incident at a drive-in. Hired to work at a hair stylists'… More R&B star Janet Jackson made an impressive film debut in Poetic Justice as Justice, a hairdresser at a small salon in South Central Los Angeles. Justice uses her poetry to deal with her grief after her boyfriend is killed in a shooting incident at a drive-in. Hired to work at a hair stylists' event in Oakland, Justice is stranded when her car breaks down, until she remembers that her friend Ieasha (Regina King) was going to hop a ride down to Oakland with her boyfriend Chicago (Joe Torry), a postal worker who is heading there with a truck full of mail. Justice tags along to discover that Chicago's driving partner is Lucky (Tupac Shakur), the postman who delivers mail to her shop and keeps asking her out. Ieasha and Chicago have to deal with their own rocky relationship while Justice has to decide if she's ready for a new love -- and if Lucky is the man she's waiting for. Along with strong work from Jackson, Poetic Justice features a surprising turn from Shakur, whose nuanced performance as Lucky is in strong contrast to his "Thug Life" public persona. Justice's poems were written by Maya Angelou, who also appears in a small role. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Singleton
- Genres
- Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Jul 23, 1993 Wide
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures Corporation
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
John Singleton's follow-up to his stunning debut, Boys N the Hood, is a major disappointment--a sophomore jinx.
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Scott Weinberg, DVD Clinic
The two leads are raw but completely intriguing, and Poetic Justice offers a slice of the urban story that we generally don't get to see.
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Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
A quiet, personal story that should have been louder, bolder.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Janet Jackson
as Justice
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Tupac Shakur
as Lucky
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Regina King
as Iesha
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Joe Torry
as Chicago
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Tyra Ferrell
as Jessie
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Roger Guenveur Smith
as Heywood
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Maya Angelou
as Aunt June
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Q-Tip
as Markell
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Tone-Loc
as J-Bone
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Miki Howard
as Maxine
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Keith Washington
as Dexter
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Khandi Alexander
as Simone
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Michael Colyar
as Panhandler
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John Cothran Jr.
as Uncle Earl
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James Deeth
as Helicopter Pilot
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Norma Donaldson
as Aunt May
- Susan Falcon
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Dedrick D. Gobert
as Lloyd
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Clifton Collins Jr.
as Mailroom Supervisor
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Baha Jackson
as Baha
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Kirk Kinder
as Cop
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Jenifer Lewis
as Annie
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Special K. McCray
as Cousin Pete
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Lori Petty
as Penelope
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Denney Pierce
as Cashier
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Michael Rapaport
as Dockworker
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Rose Weaver
as Aunt Audrey
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Yvette Wilson
as Colette
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Billy Zane
as Brad
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Kimberly Brooks
as Kim
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Robi Reed
as Woman on Couch
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Maia Campbell
as Shante
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Mark Miller
as Policeman #5
