Customer Reviews

Jason's Lyric

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Shakespearean/Freudian overtones coupled with a dynamic love story make "Jason's Lyrics" one of the premier films of the 90's. The acting of Allen Payne and Jada Pinkett as the title's stars, "Jason and Lyric, respectively), along with Bokeem Woodbine ("Joshua"), Suzanne Douglass (Jason's mother), and the brilliant Forest Whitaker ("Maddog")is flawless. One feels for all the characters as the tragedy of their lives unfolds on screen.

Credit must also be given to Eddie Griffin and Lisa Nicole Carson. The former adds a little humor to an otherwise starkly grim and realistic story while the latter serves as Lyric's "muse".

Also, the casting of the actors Sean Hutchinson and Burleigh Moore that played younger versions of Payne and Woodbine is commendable. Besides being extremely talented, they LOOK the part.

As others have commented, the "acting" during the intimate scenes makes this film definitely for the adult.

As I watched the DVD, I did seeking for an answer to something that this movie had stirred in me. To my amazement it surfaced in me that this movie centered around pure, innocent, mind probing, and heart phased LOVE. In other words, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Yet even though it appread in an ordinary way it was demonstrated in an extraordinary style. Jason, having to face the lost of his father by his own hands, had to come to terms with the fact that he killed his father but not for evil but to protect his mother. In all respect, JASON wanted to be the GOOD SON. Not hurting but helping. As a result, he had to choose between the woman he loved and the brother he wanted to protect. This woman, whom he had only known for a very short time but yet they had shared something so intimate and so soul connecting, that he found himself locked in something so deep that he could not give up; even at the cost of his brother. Even after all of the disappointments, he still came to the conclusion that this woman was the key for him. She was not perfect but she held his attention, which later led to her holding his heart. Even in the intimate scenes, I did not get offended but yet, I saw a man, who needed to know he was approved being certified in the arms a woman. He needed to know that even though he had committed a bad act (killing his father), that he was still a good person. This woman helped him to embrace that and strengthen him to a level where he could move foward and reach for GOD'S BEST. I titled my review HONEYCOMB because as bitter as the events in Jason's life was God sent him a sweet taste of victory (Lyric).

ShShalom

Jason's Lyric is a true love story. In the midst of so much blight this film shows you that you don't need to have a Monster's Ball to know that love is courage and that there is hope in the bleakest of situations.
Allen Payne and Jada Pinkett give the best performances of their careers in this story of a man coming to terms with his troubled past while trying to help his brother (Bookeem Woodbine) who has just got out of prison. One day at work he finds his true love Lyric (Jada Pinkett) who wants to help him achieve his dream of a better life. He gets several chances, but is forced to turn them down because of his obligation to his brother. In a climatic conflict with his brother, Jason stops being his brother's keeper and resolves his personal issues. Jason achieves his dream and moves on with Lyric.
The script is well written; characters are well defined and have more dimensions than shown on the surface. The choices they make in their to change lives feel natural and not forced. Allen Payne makes you feel Jason's pain while Jada Pinkett shows us Lyric's love and compassion. Both Payne and Pinkett deserve better than what Hollywood has offered them currently, when given quality material they shine. Bokeem Woodbine makes you feel sorry for Jason's brother; you hate what he does, not him. Other noteworthy performances include Suzanne Douglas and Forrest Whitaker as Jason's Parents, and the two child actors who play young Jason and his brother. The production values are top notch on this film; I don't know why critics roasted this movie. It is very well done and should have been nominated for some Oscars.
This film has quite a few steamy love scenes; this film is not for kids. However, adults will find this to be a powerful and moving story full of hope character and courage.

This has to be the most beautiful and highly underrated movies of all time. I fell in love with this movie back in 1995, after I missed seeing it at the movies. Payne {Jason} and {Pinkett} Lyric portray lovers torn between Payne's undying love and devotion to his brother. The passion between them is undeniable and their love scenes are incredibly HOT!! Payne's ne're-do-well brother, Joshua {Woodbine} plays the hard-headed prison thug who struggles to stay on the right path. Payne is also plagued by nighmares he suffers as a result of a struggle between his parents that ended up in tragedy. In effort to get away from all the drama and the nonsense, he and Lyric plan to just go far away and leave everyone -and everything- behind. Everytime I watch this movie, I cry. Oscar-worthy performances by Pinkett, Payne, Woodbine, and Whitaker. Excellent movie.

This movie dug right in and got me. The love story between to young people trapped in their lives was intense. The struggle between loyalities and the moral decay brought on by the inner city depression was so real.
Jason and Joshua--brothers. Dealing with a traumatic past that haunts them. The secrets revealed in the end were deep and clarified much of Joshua's anger. He was such an angry boy.
Lyric, another victim of circumstance was Jason's escape. Her name nearly said it all. Though it was her friend how quoted poetry it was Lyric who brought the words to life with her feelings for Jason.
The movie as a whole EARNED it's R rating, unfortunately, and I can't say I recommend it for young teens--it does have it's graphic sexual scenes and violence.
But BEHIND that, the story was a powerfully told.

I feel this movie shows how real love can come from the unexpected. And how life can bring circumstances that you cannot handle no matter how hard you try.

I saw this movie ten years ago when I was 13 and ten years later, I still love it. But now that I'm older, I can appreciate the story line even more. Jason is a troubled man haunted by his past that he continues to have nightmares. Due to his past, he feels obligated to help his brother who nothing but a criminal and content to stay one and his mother to help her out with his brother. But when he meets Lyric, a woman full of passion, sympathy and dreams, he realizes that he has to let the past go. But his brother continues to come between Lyric and himself until the end when he has to make the ultimate decision: to be with the woman he loves or to be with the brother he loves.

i love this movie. not only for the love story but for the relationship between jason and his brother this is a very emotional movie, lots of great acting i cant really think of enough good things to say if you like dramas this is definately the movie to buy. i recommend this to anyone who wants to watch a movie that will make you feel something, very touching.

this movie is the bomb. It makes you believe in love again allen paine and jada both did an outstanding job as well as bokeem woodbine (a wonderful actor that we rarly see anymore what a shame). Not to mention for you preverts out there the love scenes are great. ie booty scene jada

When I saw this movie I thought how deep someone's love can go, from the 1st meeting, the chase to where Jason decided that he want to be with Lyric somewhere else, I still believe in true love and soulmate and they really seem connected, I think they did a great job, some of the violence could've been removed, but I love the movie and this is why I am ordering a copy for my library.