Product Details

• Actors: Allen Payne, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bokeem Woodbine, Anthony 'Treach' Criss, Eddie Griffin
• Directors: Doug McHenry
• Writers: Bobby Smith Jr.
• Producers: Doug McHenry, Bill Carraro, Bobby Smith Jr., Clarence Avant, Dwight Williams
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Polygram Video
• VHS Release Date: November 14, 1995
• Run Time: 119 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303354726
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230,537 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

At the heart of this dynamic film is the love of a man for a woman, a mother for a son, and a brother for a brother. Rarely is one man's struggle for inner peace so poignantly displayed as in this engrossingly sexy and unflinchingly violent love story. Lyric is the young woman who rekindles the dreams of a man tormented by a father's alcoholic violence now perpetuated by an unstable brother. Allen Payne and Jada Pinkett make for one of the screen's most memorable duos in the title roles. Each brings emotional intensity paired with powerful sexuality to their roles. Director Doug McHenry speaks to the 1990s by deftly balancing the story's heightened drama with just enough hope to give it impact. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Casting Makes for a First-Rate Film!, April 15, 2003

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jason's Lyric [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HONEYCOMB, July 19, 2006

By 

Judy Allen - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jason's Lyric (DVD)

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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love IS courage. Sing Jason's Lyric!, June 17, 2004

By 

SHAWN JAMES "Amateur Film critic" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jason's Lyric (DVD)

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.