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Paid in Full
2002 98 min United States of America R 18+
★6.5
Action, Crime, Drama
Director: Charles Stone III
Trailers
Description
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.
US Gross:
$3.09M
Worldwide:
$3.1M
Starring
Mekhi Phifer
Actor
Wood Harris
Actor
Chi McBride
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
Paid in Full is a compelling crime drama that successfully captures the atmosphere of 1980s Harlem through a cautionary tale of ambition and betrayal. While the narrative treads familiar ground for fans of the genre, the strong performances elevate the film above its standard structure.
| Acting | Mekhi Phifer delivers a standout, captivating performance as the friend-turned-gangster. | |
| The film effectively serves as a gritty cautionary tale, exploring the high human cost of pursuing wealth within the drug trade. | ||
| Screenplay | The narrative structure and ending feel somewhat predictable and familiar to those well-versed in urban crime cinema. |