Poetic Justice (1993)

31% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(36,901 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' event… 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: John Singleton
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jul 23, 1993 Wide
On DVD: May 8, 2001
Studio: Columbia Pictures Corporation

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
John Singleton's follow-up to his stunning debut, Boys N the Hood, is a major disappointment--a sophomore jinx.
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.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
A quiet, personal story that should have been louder, bolder.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

danny d

an engaging movie with a messed up ending. one forgets how good shakur was as an actor until you realize that he was a huge chunk of the good films of this genre in the early 90's.
Nani V

=) I like this movie a lot....I love the song at the end by Janet Jackson, she did well in here as well as the late Tupac. =) They were cute.
Donna D

Not one of Singleton's best, but the story was ok. The actors/singers placed to play the lead characters were a bit annoying, but Regina King was the best whom always get's into her role, and stole the show from the two main characters. Mayo Angelou's poems are great,… More
Not one of Singleton's best, but the story was ok. The actors/singers placed to play the lead characters were a bit annoying, but Regina King was the best whom always get's into her role, and stole the show from the two main characters. Mayo Angelou's poems are great, which is quoted by Janet Jackson in this ok movie. I liked it and it was amusing, but they just did not bring out the roles as they should have.
Lee K

one of tupacs movies, i am a fan of his but this one was easily forgettable
Leo L

A personal favorite.

Cast

            Janet Jackson as Justice

            Tupac Shakur as Lucky

            Regina King as Iesha

            Joe Torry as Chicago

            Tyra Ferrell as Jessie

            Roger Guenveur Smith as Heywood

            Maya Angelou as Aunt June

            Q-Tip as Markell

            Tone-Loc as J-Bone

            Miki Howard as Maxine

            Keith Washington as Dexter

            Khandi Alexander as Simone

            Michael Colyar as Panhandler

            John Cothran Jr. as Uncle Earl

            James Deeth as Helicopter Pilot

            Norma Donaldson as Aunt May

            Susan Falcon
            
            Dedrick D. Gobert as Lloyd

            Clifton Collins Jr. as Mailroom Supervisor

            Baha Jackson as Baha

            Kirk Kinder as Cop

            Jenifer Lewis as Annie

            Special K. McCray as Cousin Pete

            Lori Petty as Penelope

            Denney Pierce as Cashier

            Michael Rapaport as Dockworker

            Rose Weaver as Aunt Audrey

            Yvette Wilson as Colette

            Billy Zane as Brad

            Kimberly Brooks as Kim

            Robi Reed as Woman on Couch

            Maia Campbell as Shante

            Mark Miller as Policeman #5
See full cast