Poetic Justice | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

34% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 83% Audience Score 25,000+ Ratings Still grieving after the murder of her boyfriend, hairdresser Justice (Janet Jackson) writes poetry to deal with the pain of her loss. Unable to get to Oakland to attend a convention because of her broken-down car, Justice gets a lift with her friend, Iesha (Regina King) and Iesha's postal worker boyfriend, Chicago (Joe Torry). Along for the ride is Chicago's co-worker, Lucky (Tupac Shakur), to whom Justice grows close after some initial problems. But is she ready to open her heart again? Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Mar 01 Buy Now

Where to Watch

Poetic Justice

Fandango at Home Prime Video

Rent Poetic Justice on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Poetic Justice

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Poetic Justice is commendably ambitious and boasts a pair of appealing stars, but they're undermined by writer-director John Singleton's frustrating lack of discipline.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (32) Critics Reviews
Poetic Justice | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader After a deceptively funny and offbeat beginning, the movie keeps restarting; each new start shows some promise, and Singleton's talent never really deserts him-but the parts don't come together to create a unified story. Apr 26, 2019 Full Review Poetic Justice | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times "Poetic Justice" is a disappointment. Apr 26, 2019 Full Review Poetic Justice | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Angie Errigo Empire Magazine Some good performances are balanced out by the film's contrivances and gratuitously foul-mouthed characters. Rated: 2/5 Apr 26, 2019 Full Review Poetic Justice | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Justin Brown Medium Popcorn Outside of a certain demographic, it's just not going to hit the same way. Rated: 2/5 Mar 5, 2020 Full Review Poetic Justice | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn It was fine, I loved Janet Jackson, but for me watching it now, my brain is blank. it wasn't terrible, wasn't good, it was just there. Respect to a Black romantic drama revered in the community, but I'd rather watch Love & Basketball... Rated: 2/5 Mar 5, 2020 Full Review Poetic Justice | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Stephen Hunter Baltimore Sun In short, the movie's pretty much of a mess, as it struggles with big themes but hasn't figured out what to do with them. Rated: 2/4 Apr 26, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews

Garrett P While this is a beautiful angle from the collection of John Singleton movies that capture the underprivileged black community in California, there simply isn't enough depth in the story to keep me entertained beyond the witty dialogue. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/11/23 Full Review Jaime 3 An urban love story. Full of pain and loneliness. Janet Jackson is believable as justice. It's an urban cult classic with a memorable supporting cast such as Regina King and 2Pac with lots of memorable catchphrases. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/19/23 Full Review stevie S I loved watching Miss Jackson acting in this movie; her soft, adorable character was movie ASMR. The supporting couple were great additions to this road trip romance. Tupac Shakur, in my eyes could only play one character in his movies; an angry, chipped over-actor. juice, gridlock'd, bullit, above the rim, were all an angry, aggressive figure. I don't think this was a fluke as he seemed to have had this attitude in his day to day life also. This puts the movie in a different light. He does attempt the slightly goofy approach in the film, which is truly appreciated. The movie, in all, is a well paced ‘diary style' coming of age pt2 movie. Janet's narration saves it several times over during the playthrough. It's in the collection next to boyz n the hood and higher learning (singleton section) where it will remain. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/07/23 Full Review 849D W Great drama. Great plot. Great tunes. Innovative story but a bit too much jealousy and culture insensitivity throughout the film slight often. Edit that insensitivity out the film, the film can earn five stars instead of half or less. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/21/23 Full Review Dominique W Genuinely moving and authentically Black, Poetic Justice is an unfairly judged film worthy of critical reappraisal. Some noticeable technical errors prevent it from being a masterpiece. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Willem W i'm obsessed with this movie Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/22 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

Cast & Crew

John Singleton Director Janet Jackson Justice Tupac Shakur Lucky Regina King Iesha Joe Torry Chicago Maya Angelou Aunt June
Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home

73% 84% Still Crazy 50% 66% How Stella Got Her Groove Back 82% 86% Grosse Pointe Blank 80% 93% Trust 69% 68% Frankie and Johnny Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie News & Guides

View All Movie News & Guides

This movie is featured in the following articles.

Yvonne Orji’s Five Favorite Films

Videos

View All videos

Poetic Justice

Poetic Justice: Trailer 1 Poetic Justice: Trailer 1 2:58 View more videos

Photos

View All Poetic Justice photos

Poetic Justice

Poetic Justice (1993) Poetic Justice (1993) Poetic Justice (1993) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Still grieving after the murder of her boyfriend, hairdresser Justice (Janet Jackson) writes poetry to deal with the pain of her loss. Unable to get to Oakland to attend a convention because of her broken-down car, Justice gets a lift with her friend, Iesha (Regina King) and Iesha's postal worker boyfriend, Chicago (Joe Torry). Along for the ride is Chicago's co-worker, Lucky (Tupac Shakur), to whom Justice grows close after some initial problems. But is she ready to open her heart again?

Director
John Singleton

Screenwriter
John Singleton

Distributor
Columbia Pictures, Columbia Tristar

Production Co
New Deal Productions, Sony Pictures, Columbia Pictures Corporation

Rating
R

Genre
Romance, Comedy

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 23, 1993, Wide

Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 3, 2016

Box Office (Gross USA)
$27.5M

Runtime
1h 50m

Sound Mix
Surround
Most Popular at Home Now
Poetic Justice | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

FAQs

What was the point of Poetic Justice movie? ›

Poetic Justice's focus on the trauma and recovery of young black women in urban environments defied traditional expectations of who can be at the center of cinematic narratives. That John Singleton had the tremendous foresight to incorporate these experiences into film is more valuable than any trick of the camera.

Is Poetic Justice worth watching? ›

After making a big splash with his first film, Boyz N the Hood, John Singleton lost his way somewhat with this twee, right-on drama. Some good performances are balanced out by the film's contrivances and gratuitously foul-mouthed characters. "Poetic Justice" is thoroughly watchable.

Was Jada Pinkett Smith in Poetic Justice? ›

Jada Pinkett, Lisa Bonet, Monica Calhoun and many other popular actresses auditioned for the role of Justice, though Singleton knew from the script's draft that the role was solely intended for Janet Jackson. Filming took place from April 11 to July 4, 1992.

Why was Heywood upset in Poetic Justice? ›

The sad news that Heywood receives over the phone is never revealed. According to John Singleton, he left it open for viewers to imagine on their own, but in the DVD commentary he mentions it might be something related to AIDS.

What is the famous line from poetic justice? ›

Justice: A wise man once said, Look at the ocean and realize that no matter how famous you are or how much money you make know that you'll never be as important as the ocean.

What is the irony of poetic justice? ›

Poetic justice, also called poetic irony, is a literary device with which ultimately virtue is rewarded and misdeeds are punished. In modern literature, it is often accompanied by an ironic twist of fate related to the character's own action, hence the name poetic irony.

What happened to justice's boyfriend in poetic justice? ›

Justice (Janet Jackson) loses her boyfriend when someone shots him right in front of her on a date at the drive-thru. It's the violent world of South Central L.A. She withdraws into her hairdressing job and her poetry.

Why is it called poetic justice? ›

The term "poetic justice" was coined by Thomas Rymer. Poetic justice refers to a resolution in which sin is condemned and righteousness is acknowledged. The term was coined in the 17th century. A literary work is supposed to support moral values and guide the readers toward moral conduct.

Is The poetic justice a happy ending? ›

Poetic justice in literature describes evil characters are punished or brought to justice for their actions, and good characters are rewarded. Literature that utilizes poetic Justice will often have happy endings with moral lessons for the reader to learn.

Who actually wrote the poems in Poetic Justice? ›

Did you know that Maya Angelou wrote the poetry in John Singleton's Poetic Justice? Director John Singleton died Monday at 51. He's best remembered for his Academy Award-nominated debut Boyz n the Hood, but it's his second movie, Poetic Justice, that might have the most crossover appeal for readers of this site.

Who played Tupac's baby mother in Poetic Justice? ›

Jenifer Lewis: Annie

Her résumé boasts hits the likes of Black-ish, In Living Color, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Mickey Mouse Fun House and many more. Though she did a killer job playing Tupac's mother in Poetic Justice, she told Jalopnik it almost didn't happen.

Did Keanu Reeves play in Poetic Justice? ›

Well, Reeves was certainly paying attention. In the '93 “poetic” drama Reeves played a homeless man, a street-dwelling role for which he received no credit?!

What happened to Chicago in poetic justice? ›

Lucky initially decides not to get involved in the fight until Justice defends Iesha by kicking Chicago in the groin, and Chicago turns his physical brutality on Justice in retaliation. Lucky, Justice, along with a bleeding and shaken Iesha leave Chicago by the side of the road and continue on their journey.

Who is the bone in poetic justice? ›

Tone Loc: J Bone.

What song does Kendrick Lamar sample in poetic justice? ›

DeVille sampled Janet Jackson's "Any Time, Any Place." Lamar and DeVille chose to sample the record after it came on the radio during their studio session. In an interview, DeVille recalled several artists wanting the song, including American rapper 50 Cent, before he ended up giving it to Lamar.

What is the central idea of the poem justice? ›

Answer and Explanation: A central theme of "Justice" is that the justice system in the United States is damaged and truly blind to people of color. Justice is alluded to as a "blind goddess," meaning justice is highly desired, but Hughes writes that "we black are wise" to the idea that justice does not see them.

What happened at the end of poetic justice? ›

By the end of the film, Justice will have learned to trust and love again, and Shakur will have learned how to listen to a woman. And all of the characters - who in one way or another lack families - will begin to get a feeling for the larger African-American family to which they belong.

What is the main idea behind the poetic principle? ›

While [the Poetic Principle] itself is, strictly and simply, the Human Aspiration for Supernal Beauty, the manifestation of the Principle is always found in an elevating excitement of the Soul — quite independent of that passion which is the intoxication of the Heart — or of that Truth which is the satisfaction of the ...

What happened to justice's boyfriend from poetic justice? ›

Justice (Janet Jackson) is a young woman living in South Central, Los Angeles. She was named Justice by her late mother, who gave birth to her while attending law school. After the shooting death of her boyfriend Markell (Q-Tip), Justice falls into a deep depression.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 5692

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.