Poetic Justice Movie Review 1993

Justice (Jackson in her movie debut, for better or worse) gives up college plans to follow a career in cosmetology after her boyfriend's brutal murder. She copes with her loss by dedicating herself to poetry writing (provided by no less than poet Maya Angelou) and meets postal worker Shakur. Singleton's second directorial effort is about the girlz n the hood and boasts a lighter script (well, it is about a hairdresser) focusing less on the Boyz-style morality and more on the trials and tribulations of Justice. Production stopped on the South Central L.A. set during the '92 riots, but the aftermath provided poignant pictures for later scenes.

Distribution

Baker & Taylor Inc., 2709 Water Ridge Pkwy., Ste. 500, Charlotte, NC 28217, Phone: (704)357-3500, Toll-free: 800-775-1800, Email: btinfo@btol.com, URL: http://www.btol.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 109 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Romantic Drama, Poetry, Urban Drama, African America, Rock Stars on Film, New Black Cinema, Women, Cuttin' Heads

Screenplay

John Singleton

Cast

Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Tyra Ferrell, Regina King, Joe Torry, Norma Donaldson

Cinematography

Peter Lyons Collister

Director

John Singleton

Music

Stanley Clarke

Producer

Steve Nicolaides, John Singleton, New Deal, Nickel Production

Awards

MTV Movie Awards 1994: Female Perf. (Jackson), Most Desirable Female (Jackson); Golden Raspberries 1993: Worst New Star (Jackson).