731:
726:
721:
716:
424:
his brother's continual selfishness and disregard for others' well-being that he draws his gun on Joshua to teach him a lesson. Unfortunately, Joshua accidentally shoots Lyric in the shoulder. Horrified and devastated, Jason tearfully tends to the injured and unconscious Lyric, and chooses to walk away from Joshua for good. Feeling abandoned, Joshua loses his will to live and
423:
Alonzo's two crew members before taking her hostage. Jason races there and finds Joshua holding Lyric at gunpoint, demanding Alonzo's whereabouts as well as venting his jealousy towards her for taking away his older brother. The two brothers engage in a heated argument until Jason becomes fed up with
403:
Jason reluctantly calls off his and Lyric's plan, reasoning that Joshua would always need him. When she furiously questions him about the nightmares that tie him to keep saving his ungrateful brother, Jason eventually opens up about the childhood incident that left him a lifetime of haunting guilt:
569:
gave high praise to the film's two main leads, its supporting cast, and the direction of McHenry. He also counteracted Rainer's opinion of the sex scenes being there to raise the film's box office, saying that its target demographic want to see romantic stories that feature two black leads in said
585:
gave it a C, writing that she found the brotherly storyline between Jason and Joshua more compelling than the main romantic plot, saying that the latter was "so dense with big themes strung together that character development suffers. And the emotional sum is less than the interconnection of its
390:
with his gang and Joshua joins in. Lyric overhears their conversation and tells Jason. She warns Jason not to cross her brother, and he promises her to only talk to Joshua, followed by offering her a way to escape town together. Lyric delightfully accepts and they agree to meet at the bayou. The
29:
489:
as Gloria
Alexander, Mad Dog's widow, Jason and Joshua's mother. A self-sufficient yet wise single mother who tries to love both her sons equally, following her husband's death. She occasionally remembers the times when her late husband used to be a good and loving man before turning
391:
following day, the robbery goes wrong as Joshua arrives late. Even worse, he escalates the situation by independently assaulting one of the bank customers, although he escapes with the gang before the police arrive. As punishment for botching the plan, Joshua is brutally
564:
called the film "a terribly earnest melodrama with king-size ambitions", commending the filmmakers for their overall attempt at artistic cinema but found it "overextended and unbelievable both as love story and as urban tragedy." In response to his review, filmmaker
307:
brothers who choose different paths in dealing with their tragic childhood. When the older brother found love, he starts facing tough choices: continue to feel family responsibility for his younger brother, or follow his heart to be with his girlfriend.
554:
praised the performances of
Whitaker, Payne and Woodbine, and the visual settings created by McHenry and cinematographer Francis Kenny but felt the film's script "stumbles into a lame love story and ends in a conventional shootout and bloodbath."
395:
by Alonzo and his gang. Back at home, as Jason informs his mom about his and Lyric's plan to move away together, Joshua returns severely wounded. Enraged, Jason breaks his promise to Lyric by confronting Alonzo, ensuing a vicious fight in a
348:. Previously traumatized by his late father, he has become a volatile, disturbed ex-con. Jason and Gloria try their best to make Joshua repent and change his ways, but he has difficulties staying out of trouble with both law and authority.
447:
as Jason
Alexander, the main protagonist. The 'good' son who is responsible and always puts his family's well-being and happiness above himself. Ever since he falls for Lyric, he starts to feel torn between his family or his girlfriend.
363:, Jason begins to pursue her. At first, Lyric rejects Jason's attempts to get closer to her due to her cynicism of men, but his persistence, sincerity, kindness, and humor eventually win her over. They grow closer and end up
596:
criticized the filmmaking for being overly stylized with its poetic aspirations and making the plot twist "unintentionally confusing rather than deliberately holding back information" with its editing. She called
419:) notices him from the same bar and realizes his intentions. Rat informs Jason about Joshua's attempt to kill Alonzo and anyone connected to him, including Lyric, as revenge. Joshua arrives at Lyric's house and
465:
as Joshua
Alexander, Jason's younger brother. The 'bad' son who is alcoholic, irresponsible, criminal-minded, and a troublemaker, despite he still loves his family. He is a problematic and low-level gangster.
505:
as "Mad Dog" Alexander, Gloria's late husband, Jason & Joshua's late father. He used to be a loving family man, but he became abusive ever since he lost his leg after coming home from
Vietnam War as a
538:
gave the movie praise for its cast's performances, director Doug McHenry's "lyrical touches" to the poetic aesthetics of Bobby Smith, Jr.'s script and its willingness to tackle dramatic themes that
548:
also explored, concluding that, "It's not some little plot-bound genre formula. It's invigorating, how much confidence it has, and how much space it allows itself." Deborah Young from
907:
404:
After a young Joshua pointed his mother's gun at a drunken Mad Dog to stop him, Jason wrestled it away from him, inadvertently killing Mad Dog himself. Having finally understood his
459:
as Lyric, Jason's love interest. A free-spirited waitress with a cold demeanor who initially had no interest in dating. She dreams of an escape and longs for a peaceful life.
830:
794:
1049:
984:
759:
415:
in a bar while Jason starts packing at home after earning his mom's blessing to be with Lyric. Unbeknownst to Joshua, their good friend Rat (
896:
869:
1059:
1029:
696:
435:
The film ends with Jason and the newly-recovered Lyric riding on a bus together, now earning their freedom to start a new life.
999:
994:
477:
as Alonzo "A-1", Lyric's older brother, Marti's boyfriend and the vicious gang leader whom Joshua works with in a bank robbery.
1054:
1034:
989:
652:
979:
974:
969:
532:
is a sexually charged film whose violent streak weakens or, depending on your perspective, supports the melodrama."
1019:
408:, Lyric comforts Jason. Nevertheless, she advises him to walk away from Joshua if he wants them to stay together.
1044:
324:
their mother. Said tragedy leaves deep scars and prompts them to choose different paths in their future. Jason (
316:
As children, brothers Jason and Joshua
Alexander witnessed the fatal shooting of their abusive father, Mad Dog (
1014:
1004:
1039:
611:
150:
1009:
821:
783:
252:
1024:
260:
64:
601:"a muddled film that takes a standard urban action movie and adds a veneer of overwrought romance."
755:
745:
856:
544:
692:
943:
861:
574:
8:
964:
524:
received generally mixed reviews from critics. It currently has a 58% approval rating on
428:, in earshot of everyone outside. Though heartbroken, Jason carries Lyric to the waiting
360:
292:
249:
371:
that magically turn into a flower field. Despite his improved and meaningful life since
902:
750:
678:
618:
588:
550:
493:
456:
364:
352:
284:
268:
84:
938:
789:
687:
560:
321:
167:
852:
582:
528:
based on 24 reviews, with an average score of 5.8/10. The site's consensus reads: "
486:
337:
333:
154:
127:
949:
643:
525:
502:
462:
397:
341:
317:
288:
272:
104:
89:
638:
496:
as Marti, Lyric's vain co-worker as well as best friend and Alonzo's girlfriend.
708:
648:
958:
480:
416:
280:
117:
99:
570:
scenes, and that the film offers them a sort of "cinematic sexual healing."
816:
566:
509:
387:
329:
256:
246:
60:
42:
891:
674:
593:
535:
444:
325:
264:
79:
932:
328:) becomes a responsible young man who works as an assistant manager and
356:
351:
One day in the middle of Jason's working hour, a waitress named Lyric (
866:
429:
376:
28:
784:"Movie Review: Ambitious 'Jason's Lyric' Falls Short of Redemption"
425:
392:
296:
474:
420:
383:
372:
368:
345:
276:
94:
300:
405:
304:
822:"Big Amen for Rhythmic, Riveting and Sexy 'Jason's Lyric'"
412:
499:
Lahmard Tate as Ron, one of Alonzo's gang crew members.
382:
Meanwhile, Lyric's criminal older brother, Alonzo (
375:Lyric, Jason is still haunted by multiple episodic
895:
820:
782:
897:"In a Blighted Landscape, a Tale of Two Brothers"
956:
336:and lives with his hard-working mom, Gloria (
713:
411:Later in the evening, Joshua is preparing a
851:
451:Sean Hutchinson as Jason Alexander (age 11)
469:Burleigh Moore as Joshua Alexander (age 8)
255:, written by Bobby Smith Jr., directed by
27:
483:as "Rat", Jason and Joshua's good friend.
320:), one night when he came home drunk and
957:
815:
780:
699:from the original on February 18, 2020
1050:English-language romantic drama films
985:African-American romantic drama films
890:
872:from the original on October 20, 2020
744:Young, Deborah (September 19, 1994).
743:
673:
910:from the original on January 2, 2021
833:from the original on January 2, 2021
797:from the original on January 2, 2021
781:Rainer, Peter (September 28, 1994).
586:Tragedy 101 parts." In a review for
263:and Marilla Lane Ross, and starring
1060:English-language erotic drama films
1030:PolyGram Filmed Entertainment films
762:from the original on March 27, 2018
13:
655:from the original on July 31, 2020
361:Falling instantly in love with her
16:1994 film directed by Doug McHenry
14:
1071:
926:
715:
729:
724:
719:
714:
259:, who co-produced the film with
857:"Movie Review: 'Jason's Lyric'"
884:
845:
809:
774:
737:
667:
631:
344:) has just been released from
1:
1000:American erotic romance films
995:American romantic drama films
624:
151:PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
1055:English-language crime films
1035:1990s English-language films
990:American coming-of-age films
516:
182:September 28, 1994
7:
604:
10:
1076:
612:Jason's Lyric (soundtrack)
980:1990s coming-of-age films
975:1994 romantic drama films
615:— soundtrack to the film.
303:, the story is about two
230:
222:
214:
206:
196:
173:
163:
141:
133:
123:
113:
72:
56:
48:
38:
33:Theatrical release poster
26:
21:
970:1990s erotic drama films
756:Penske Media Corporation
1020:Gramercy Pictures films
438:
311:
158:Jackson/McHenry Company
1045:African-American films
894:(September 28, 1994).
677:(September 28, 1994).
475:Anthony 'Treach' Criss
95:Anthony 'Treach' Criss
1015:Films shot in Houston
1005:Films about sexuality
693:Sun-Times Media Group
1040:1990s American films
862:Entertainment Weekly
819:(October 24, 1994).
575:Entertainment Weekly
558:Peter Rainer of the
855:(October 7, 1994).
245:is a 1994 American
1010:Films set in Texas
903:The New York Times
619:List of hood films
589:The New York Times
512:as Street Preacher
494:Lisa Nicole Carson
379:of his childhood.
285:Lisa Nicole Carson
853:Schwarzbaum, Lisa
827:Los Angeles Times
790:Los Angeles Times
688:Chicago Sun-Times
561:Los Angeles Times
355:) comes to buy a
238:
237:
168:Gramercy Pictures
68:Marilla Lane Ross
1067:
1025:1990s hood films
920:
919:
917:
915:
899:
888:
882:
881:
879:
877:
849:
843:
842:
840:
838:
824:
813:
807:
806:
804:
802:
786:
778:
772:
771:
769:
767:
741:
735:
734:
733:
732:
728:
727:
723:
722:
718:
717:
712:
706:
704:
671:
665:
664:
662:
660:
635:
583:Lisa Schwarzbaum
580:
487:Suzzanne Douglas
338:Suzzanne Douglas
305:mentally scarred
283:, Lahmard Tate,
189:
187:
155:Propaganda Films
128:Andrew Mondshein
31:
19:
18:
1075:
1074:
1070:
1069:
1068:
1066:
1065:
1064:
955:
954:
950:Box Office Mojo
929:
924:
923:
913:
911:
889:
885:
875:
873:
850:
846:
836:
834:
814:
810:
800:
798:
779:
775:
765:
763:
746:"Jason's Lyric"
742:
738:
730:
725:
720:
702:
700:
672:
668:
658:
656:
644:Rotten Tomatoes
639:"Jason's Lyric"
637:
636:
632:
627:
607:
578:
526:Rotten Tomatoes
519:
503:Forest Whitaker
463:Bokeem Woodbine
441:
406:lifelong trauma
398:public restroom
342:Bokeem Woodbine
334:electronic shop
318:Forest Whitaker
314:
289:Forest Whitaker
273:Bokeem Woodbine
199:
192:
185:
183:
176:
159:
157:
153:
146:
144:
109:
105:Forest Whitaker
90:Bokeem Woodbine
67:
63:
52:Bobby Smith Jr.
34:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1073:
1063:
1062:
1057:
1052:
1047:
1042:
1037:
1032:
1027:
1022:
1017:
1012:
1007:
1002:
997:
992:
987:
982:
977:
972:
967:
953:
952:
941:
928:
927:External links
925:
922:
921:
883:
844:
808:
773:
736:
709:RogerEbert.com
666:
649:Fandango Media
629:
628:
626:
623:
622:
621:
616:
606:
603:
518:
515:
514:
513:
507:
500:
497:
491:
484:
478:
472:
471:
470:
460:
454:
453:
452:
440:
437:
426:shoots himself
313:
310:
261:George Jackson
236:
235:
232:
228:
227:
224:
220:
219:
216:
212:
211:
208:
204:
203:
200:
197:
194:
193:
191:
190:
179:
177:
174:
171:
170:
165:
164:Distributed by
161:
160:
149:
147:
142:
139:
138:
135:
131:
130:
125:
121:
120:
115:
114:Cinematography
111:
110:
108:
107:
102:
97:
92:
87:
82:
76:
74:
70:
69:
65:George Jackson
58:
54:
53:
50:
46:
45:
40:
36:
35:
32:
24:
23:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1072:
1061:
1058:
1056:
1053:
1051:
1048:
1046:
1043:
1041:
1038:
1036:
1033:
1031:
1028:
1026:
1023:
1021:
1018:
1016:
1013:
1011:
1008:
1006:
1003:
1001:
998:
996:
993:
991:
988:
986:
983:
981:
978:
976:
973:
971:
968:
966:
963:
962:
960:
951:
947:
946:
945:Jason's Lyric
942:
940:
936:
935:
934:Jason's Lyric
931:
930:
909:
905:
904:
898:
893:
887:
871:
868:
864:
863:
858:
854:
848:
832:
828:
823:
818:
817:Fanaka, Jamaa
812:
796:
792:
791:
785:
777:
761:
757:
753:
752:
747:
740:
710:
698:
694:
690:
689:
684:
683:Movie Review"
682:
681:Jason's Lyric
676:
670:
654:
650:
646:
645:
640:
634:
630:
620:
617:
614:
613:
609:
608:
602:
600:
599:Jason's Lyric
595:
591:
590:
584:
577:
576:
571:
568:
563:
562:
556:
553:
552:
547:
546:
541:
540:New Jack City
537:
533:
531:
530:Jason's Lyric
527:
523:
522:Jason's Lyric
511:
508:
504:
501:
498:
495:
492:
488:
485:
482:
481:Eddie Griffin
479:
476:
473:
468:
467:
464:
461:
458:
455:
450:
449:
446:
443:
442:
436:
433:
431:
427:
422:
418:
417:Eddie Griffin
414:
409:
407:
401:
399:
394:
389:
385:
380:
378:
374:
370:
366:
362:
358:
354:
349:
347:
343:
339:
335:
332:in a Houston
331:
327:
323:
319:
309:
306:
302:
298:
294:
290:
286:
282:
281:Eddie Griffin
278:
274:
270:
266:
262:
258:
254:
251:
250:psychological
248:
244:
243:
242:Jason's Lyric
233:
229:
225:
221:
217:
213:
210:United States
209:
205:
201:
195:
181:
180:
178:
172:
169:
166:
162:
156:
152:
148:
140:
136:
132:
129:
126:
122:
119:
118:Francis Kenny
116:
112:
106:
103:
101:
100:Eddie Griffin
98:
96:
93:
91:
88:
86:
83:
81:
78:
77:
75:
71:
66:
62:
59:
55:
51:
47:
44:
41:
37:
30:
25:
22:Jason's Lyric
20:
944:
933:
912:. Retrieved
901:
892:James, Caryn
886:
874:. Retrieved
860:
847:
835:. Retrieved
826:
811:
799:. Retrieved
788:
776:
764:. Retrieved
749:
739:
707:– via
701:. Retrieved
686:
680:
675:Ebert, Roger
669:
657:. Retrieved
642:
633:
610:
598:
587:
573:
572:
567:Jamaa Fanaka
559:
557:
549:
543:
539:
534:
529:
521:
520:
510:Wayne Dehart
457:Jada Pinkett
434:
410:
402:
386:), plans to
381:
353:Jada Pinkett
350:
315:
269:Jada Pinkett
257:Doug McHenry
241:
240:
239:
234:$ 20,851,521
198:Running time
175:Release date
85:Jada Pinkett
61:Doug McHenry
43:Doug McHenry
594:Caryn James
536:Roger Ebert
445:Allen Payne
421:shoots down
365:making love
340:). Joshua (
330:sales clerk
326:Allen Payne
265:Allen Payne
226:$ 7 million
202:120 minutes
80:Allen Payne
57:Produced by
39:Directed by
965:1994 films
959:Categories
837:January 2,
801:January 2,
625:References
545:Sugar Hill
388:rob a bank
377:nightmares
357:television
293:Third Ward
253:drama film
231:Box office
186:1994-09-28
143:Production
49:Written by
914:March 22,
876:March 27,
867:Time Inc.
766:March 22,
703:March 22,
517:Reception
430:ambulance
291:. Set in
145:companies
124:Edited by
908:Archived
870:Archived
831:Archived
795:Archived
760:Archived
697:Archived
659:June 28,
653:Archived
605:See also
506:veteran.
490:abusive.
393:tortured
322:attacked
247:romantic
215:Language
134:Music by
73:Starring
751:Variety
551:Variety
367:in the
297:Houston
218:English
207:Country
184: (
384:Treach
373:dating
346:prison
287:, and
277:Treach
223:Budget
579:'
369:woods
301:Texas
939:IMDb
916:2018
878:2018
839:2021
803:2021
768:2018
705:2018
661:2009
542:and
439:Cast
312:Plot
948:at
937:at
413:gun
961::
906:.
900:.
865:.
859:.
829:.
825:.
793:.
787:.
758:.
754:.
748:.
695:.
691:.
685:.
651:.
647:.
641:.
592:,
581:s
432:.
400:.
359:.
299:,
295:,
279:,
275:,
271:,
267:,
137:AR
918:.
880:.
841:.
805:.
770:.
711:.
679:"
663:.
188:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
