Paid in Full

Plot synopsis:
Paid in Full is about a young man who rises to the top of the cocaine industry in Harlem. The protagonist, Ace, is played by Wood Harris. At the beginning of the movie, Ace is stuck in a dead end job working in a dry cleaner's shop. His sister's boyfriend, Calvin, is a big time drug dealer who often tries to lure Ace into becoming a part of the drug trade with promises of fast money and glamour. Ace resists these temptations, warning constantly that Calvin's flashy style and audacious method of dealing will get him arrested. When Calvin does get locked up, Ace ends up taking his position on the streets after a chance encounter with Lulu, a Dominican drug dealer. With the help of his friend, Mitch and their partner and enforcer, Rico, he creates a huge drug empire in Harlem. However - unlike most hustlers, Ace is careful not to draw too much attention to himself and stay, more or less, behind the scenes.Mitch, Ace's best friend, is very popular and an extremely flashy drug dealer. Mitch does not pressure Ace to become a dealer because he thinks that his friend is not the hustling type. In fact, he humorously tells Ace that he will become the "George Jefferson" of the ghetto, making reference to his job at the dry cleaning shop. Eventually, Mitch gets arrested. During this time, though, Ace has been introduced into the drug game by Lulu. Soon after Mitch's release, Ace becomes partners with his best friend, realizing he cannot control such a lucrative empire on his own. The two quickly become successful, gaining a reputation worthy of street legends. Rico, a recently released inmate who came to Mitch's aid while Mitch was in prison, appears, and as a show of appreciation and gratitude, Mitch suggests to Ace that Rico join the team, since they could always use additional "muscle" to bolster their rise to the top. Ace agrees. The trio become extremely well known in Harlem, the center of their operations, as well as locations across New York, Washington D.C. and other areas. Ace, as always, tries to remain quiet with a low profile while Mitch returned to his image as the "rich, pretty boy" gangsta. Rico's reputation, however, is one of a ruthless 'killa' who is always quick to show his loyalty to Ace and Mitch by making an example of anyone who does not pull their weight on the streets.After their rise, trouble soon finds them. When Calvin is released from jail, he tries to regain his position of power in the streets. After Ace gives him a lower-level role on the team, Calvin becomes dissatisfied with the thought of making money only as a result of Ace's generosity. Calvin cannot accept the idea of losing his former territory and clientele to Ace and decides not to partner with Ace if he cannot be one of the leaders of the team. He attempts to rob and kill Ace at his apartment one night and shoots him in several times, including a shot to the head. Ace survives, however, and begins to think it's time to leave the game before he is killed. Nonetheless, Rico kills Calvin in retaliation.A short time later, Mitch's brother, Sonny is kidnapped. In an attempt to get his brother back, Mitch tries to raise the tremendous ransom the only way he knows how. He asks Ace, who is basically retired, to help him one last time to get a large quantity of drugs - enough to raise sufficient money to pay the ransom. Ace helps Mitch as requested. When Mitch reaches out to Rico for help to sell the drugs and raise the money, Rico takes this as an opportunity to establish himself and expand his hustle. He kills Mitch and takes the drugs Mitch intended to sell to rescue Sonny. Soon after Ace is told about what happened to Mitch, Ace realizes that Rico was to meet up with Mitch that same night and might be responsible for Mitch's death. Ace then sets up a meeting between him and Rico interrogating Rico on what happened between him and Mitch that night, Rico in return answers that he hadn't seen Mitch all day, Ace then realizes that he is lying and settles the score with Rico by giving him the number to two FBI agents working undercover as drug dealers that Ace had spoken to once before. Rico is arrested and is last seen in prison giving up information on his out-of-town connections in Washington D.C., but not on the connections he once had in Harlem, due to his is claim that "When I come home, I'm still gon' be the king." Since the ransom was not paid, Sonny is later found dead as well. Later, it is found that Sonny's kindnapping had been set up by his own uncle and was killed by Tommy an accomplice of their uncles who resented Mitch because he would not provide him with money. Ace does manage to get completely out of the drug game and makes a new life for himself and his family using diamonds he found in Lulu's apartment.

Tags: revenge, murder, violence, flashback

Review:
I am glad that there is a movie based on the lives of legendary Harlem kingpins Alpo, AZ and Rich Porter coming out.
I don't want to give it away but for those people who checked the street documentary, "Game Over" would really understand this movie as well as those who knew AZ, Rich and Alpo personally and those who know the legacy of these hustlers.It gets a 9 from me, I loved it.
I saw this one a while back in the end of 2001, and I was very interested as it was the true story of the drug game in the mid eighties.
This movie is actually AZ's side of the story(AZ is Ace played by Wood Harris[Above The Rim, Remember The Titans, The wire]).
well, it tells the story of drug kingpins AZ(Ace), Rich Porter(Mitch)and Alberto "Alpo" Martinez(Rico).
Cam'ron really displays some actin' skills in his part as the trigger-happy, O-Dog reminiscent Rico("alpo"), Wood Harris gives a very different performance from his previous roles in Above The Rim and The Wire as the laid back Ace. but this one belonged to Mekhi Phifer(8-Mile, Clockers) as Mitch(Rich Porter) he really came out and busted out Rich to a "T"!
It is the mid-eighties in Harlem and Ace is working in a laundrette making honest (if small) money while his friend Mitch is rolling in the ill-gotten gains of street dealing.
With Mitch back on the streets with new friend Rico, Ace continues to rise within his community but still maintaining his lowkey and quiet personae.
However coming to the top draws more attention while the loud and aggressive Rico contrasts with Ace's style and trouble is not far away.It was the presence of Wood Harris that drew me to this film even if the hip hop stars in acting and producing roles did worry me that this was just going to be a basic modern blaxploitation movie that panders to the lowest common denominator to make cash.
Instead the narrative is fairly linear and straightforward but it is still interesting and well delivered.I'm not sure if I was totally convinced by the character of Ace all the time but he did make for a good centre piece and the film is less moved by the events around him than it is by how he is within them.
As such Harris is actually very good and never looks like he is about to fall into cliché or easy action.
He has less to work with for the majority of the time but one or two later scenes show how good an actor he can be.
Director Stone does an OK job but is greatly helped by the sense of period that the film consistently has thanks to the design of sets and costumes.A solid narrative keeps it interesting, even if it is not really that surprising or clever.
Of course compared to most hip hop films this is surprisingly good and it does benefit from being based on a true story and featuring good turns from Harris and, to a lesser extent, Phifer..
Lies, drugs, money and betrayals in real life (the movie is based on a true story)....
He knows where he wants to tell his stories because he has filmed in similar places in his movies.
He knows about directing actors, about keeping the spectator focused on the filmHis writers know about the way the characters talk, and about creating an interesting story that comes from real life so the viewer doesn't get boredThe team knew what they were doing messing with "Paid in Full".This piece comes in the groove of the movies we see from time to time about life in the neighborhood ("hood"), black people and their relationships, money problems, hard life, "this is how we do it here" and the other stuffPhrases and situations like this are all over this film; combined with an appropriate sense of reality and personality.There wouldn't be success in these movies if it wasn't for the characters.
Changes that occur because of (and I come back because it's the way it is) the characters.The movie starts as many others these days, giving a glance of the present.
I won't mention anything about these situations that involve, among other things, a guy who worked in a dry cleaner but then became the king of money and drugs; another guy who had the money to help his family and to buy nice things before he screwed up, a guy who is fascinated with money and can't control it; the women that celebrate or suffer for the men's actions.Wood Harris plays Ace, the one who tells the story; and there's a reason why he tells it: in his story things will go right or wrong to the people, but they will all experience something because everything is connected.
Newcomer in the acting scene, Cam'Ron, screams too much and puts arrogant faces, and I can't know if he's doing it right because I haven't seen him before.
The rest of the cast (female and male and younger), achieved amazingly by pros Kerry Barden, Billy Hopkins and Suzanne Smith (experienced in casting people for films of this type), accomplish decent performances just to match everything with the story.What's left for director Charles Stone III is to give some revealing and profound shots in the movie's most dramatic scenes, lead his actors to their glory and generate a realistic environment that traps anyone who sees it.
All work of the team, messing with the film.Because the characters in the film mess with each other, and it's a messy film, you don't know why Ace keeps seeing notes falling from the sky, and from where he is telling the story he narrates.
I am very happy that the life story of Alpo, Rich Porter and AZ has come out, I saw the movie and I was mezmerized.
Mekhi Phifer(Rich Porter) and David Sherwin Harris(AZ)(Above The Rim, Remember The Titans) do great as the legendary drug kingpins AZ and the now deceased Rich Porter.
This was a great movie and I also recommend the street documentary "Game Over" hosted by AZ which is also based on the lives of Alpo, Rich Porter and AZ.A street classic 10/10.
Coming from someone who grew up during this era (the 80's), I found this movie to be a very honest and real portrayal of the music, the atmosphere, the street, and the drug game in general.
Mekhi Phifer, Cam'ron, and Wood Harris gave very good performances in this real life re-telling of the events that occurred between the notorious Ace, Mitch and Alpo.
Any hip hop heads know who Rich Porter, Alpo and AZ.
The movie tells their story subiting the names for Mitch, Rico and Ace. The film is told through the eyes of Ace played with great vigor by rising talent Wood Harris.
Ace see his boy Mitch (Pfeifer) in a great performance living the high drug life.
While in prison Mitch meets Rico (Cam'ron in a breakthough debut) a hot head who decides he wants someone of the action.
Producers Jay-Z,Dame Dash ( who shows up in a cameo) and Brett Ratner did their research to make the film look true to life.
Regina Hall,Chi McBride go good supporting performances and the direction by Charles Stone III is impressive as is the script.
Paid if Full is about 3 real life teenagers who made the drug game in Harlem huge.
I gave this movie a 7 because a lot of their story was left out.
I know that only so much can fit into a movie's 2.5 hr time frame but there were so many things in their story that was left completely out.
Just because they both mention Scarface and take place in NYC and because they involve the drug game does not make the movies comparable..
The performances and story are fine but it could have been a TV movie.
In the 80's, in Harlem, the simple Afro-American worker of a laundry, Ace (Wood Harris), is seduced by the easy money of his friend Mitch (Mekhi Phifer) and when Mitch is arrested, he becomes a drug lord.
Later, her joins Mitch and his new-friend Rico (Cam'ron) as his right arms, ruling the neighborhood.
His kingdom is destroyed one year later, after successive betrayals.Based on a true story, I found the first part of "Paid in Full", showing the powerful and wealthy drug dealers' lifestyle, an apology to crime.
The cast has great performances and the direction of Charles Stone III is amazingly real.
I thought this movie was fabulous!The acting was good all round especially Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer, Cam'ron and the little boy Remo Greene was pretty good for a kid as well.The story was fabulous.
I loved all the twists it had.Great directing Charles Stone III!It was really cool how it cut back and forth from scene to scene.Interesting to see it was based on a true story.It's odd I have never heared of this film before.
This is the story of a soft-hearted drug dealer, as far UP the chain as you can go before you leave the Harlem neighborhood.
You might have seen him playing third fiddle in REMEMBER THE TITANS (2002), the Denzel Washington feel-good film.
Like TITANS, this is another true story, by the way.The film tries to link itself to SCARFACE (1983) and even goes so far as to have the characters view that film on the big screen when it first came out.
The scale of their operation, their life-style, ambitions, family orientation, neighborhood emphasis, and sheer abilities puts them much more on a par with Wesley Snipes NEW JACK CITY (1991).Realizing that JACK CITY was supposed to portray a dealer who went a little power crazy, I found Snipes' performance over-heated, and didn't enjoy THAT film even the second time around.
Wood Harris has a more moderate part to begin with, and he gives a credible performance as an underwhelming street kid who keeps on growing sufficiently to meet the demands of the job.
That might have been good advice even for corporate giants like Drexel Burnam and Enron.But, like all bio-corporate organisms, the rule is, "Grow or Die."  Wood's character makes the mistake of reacting the way you or I might in similar circumstances.
Before viewing the film I had never heard of Wood Harris I was surprised at how good he was in the role.
The plot ran smoothly all the way through the film and what made a nice change with this film the lead character always understood his limitation which gave the ending a realistic feel.
Finally a good gang movie, I've see a lot of them lately and thy all more or less suck, but this one was real real good.Properly because it was based on a true story, that always makes a good movie.
And Mekhi Phifer is or some in this movie,  one scene was so so good, man he is becoming a great actor if you ask me :).
Based on the true story of the childhood friends: AZ, Alpo and Rich Porter...
The fictional names used in the movie Ace Boogie (Wood Harris), Alpo (CamRon) and Mitch (Mekhi Phifer)...
I suggest seeing the documentary Game Over or read up on the real life characters to get an idea of what this film really is about.
What impressed me so much about this movie is its authenticity with regards to imagery - you look at these infamous photos of the three back in the day and they're accurately replicated in live action in the film, creating a special vivid realism.
I was impressed by everything in this movie, the acting, directing, camera work, and the whole process of telling a compelling story.
Once again, Wood Harris kills it in another great movie that doesn't get recognized.
Each character is cool in his own way and like most hip hop movies, this one has an explosive ending.
Unlike most of Wood Harris' movies, they actually put a lot of money into this movie and gave it an actual budget.
I was surprised about how good this movie was.
Combined with the other cast member's performances- the entire tragedy/saga of young black peoples in the hood- the sh** made you(me) want to cry.Being from Harlem- 155th street- this story had a special significance for me.
Besides Wood Harris- Mekhi Phifer threw down as usual- Solid performance -nailing Rich Porter.
The women in the movie had no major roles- this was a story of three teenagers who ******* ran harlem.
bottom line, the people in this film are human, flawed and all- but human- and the things they went through were real- not these 'gangsta' fantasies of 99% of today's hip-hop acts!
whatever he's doing- I hope the dude's healthy, at peace and making money legally.The directing was good, not great- but solid.
The script was good- but trust me -it was the PERFORMANCES- many of them improvised that made this film great!.
It had a ton of holes, Liked the characters though but should of been used in an action film.
Also, I didn't see the point in setting the film in the mid 80's even though the events are based on a true story the fact that it took place in the eighties is of no consequence.
director Charles Stone III, writers Azie Faison Jr. and Austin Phillips did an excellent job of capturing the essence of movies in the same vein that preceded paid in full.
the brotherhood of friends -Juice; rags to riches and the drug lord maturation of an empire finally culminating in tragic betrayal -New Jack City; and camron's portrayal of the reckless Rico is quite convincing, reminiscent of the late tupacs bishop and larenz tate's o-dog.my only fault with a movie of this genre or should i say the fans, is that often times fans walk away from a movie like paid in full and the other aforementioned films with the wrong message.
instead of looking beyond what looks glamorous (the fame and fortune of the drug game) fans choose to glorify the "thug life" and end up emulating the characters in the film.
I really enjoyed watching paid in full and do not mind watching it again.Paid in full is based on gangs and how they make money with drugs.The three main characters are known as mitch, rico and ace.AS I watched this movie it made me think about drugs,money,gang,violence,family and trust.At the beginning i felt really happy until the end were it got a bit sad.Any ways i really enjoyed watching paid in full and i would recommend it to a lot of people..
Paid in full is a movie about a good kid from the ghetto who is seduced into the local drug trade.
In the beginning of the movie the main character Ace is seen as a quite kid from Harlem who works for a local tailor.
Personally I had no interests in watching this movie.
Growing up in Baltimore City you see a lot of activity such as in this movie, and like Ace sometimes you might be tempted to join the negative influences in your surroundings.
Ace had a good job, making legal money, working at the cleaners.
He always watched the drug dealers with the nice cars, designer clothes, all the girls, and lots of money.
While his friend Mitch was the top drug dealer in Harlem.
Ever since then Ace became the top drug dealer in Harlem, although he had more money than working at the cleaners, he began to have more problems also.
This is a great movie to watch.
It's relatable and based on a real story which makes it all the more interesting..
"Money is the root to all evil" (Based on a True story).
Based on a true store of Azie "AZ" Fasion, Alpo and Rich Porter are urban legends in New York.
2002 film "Paid in Full" Azie Fasion wrote a story based on the lives of his crew and "Roc-A-Fella Films licensed the story and brought it to the big screens where notable actors Mekhi Phifer and Wood Harris would portray the lifestyle theses teenagers were lavishly living until tables turned and one is betrayed by his own and would lead to the fall of the Harlem kingpins.
"Paid in Full" released in October of 2002, a drama action film directed Charles Stone III.
Main character Wood Harris acts as narrator in this film.
The Directors uses various techniques of Flash- forwards and flashbacks in this film so the viewer can make a connection between the characters in the story and how they transform.
Director incorporating some great cinematography in this film which lead to impact scenes and the success of actors.
The Movie Shows how two characters and transform due to the success of the drug trade and lead to a major shift of street creditability and eventually table turn.
As Ace the Main character played by Wood Harris the Protagonist character in this film character traits of the quiet one who quits his job at the dry cleaners to make some fast money.
It seems like Ace has to take the role of which his friend played and supply the street with the latest and best product that customers can't resist buying because they were getting better quality product for a lower price.
When Mitch is released from prison, the best friends join forces with Rico (Cam'ron), a paranoid, hot-headed pal of Mitch's from prison whose idea of fun is to show home videos of himself having sex in a local dance club I think this movie is good for young kids growing up in the city to see.
I think its a good representation that selling drugs and having all material things can lead to the quickest fall and then your life is gone because you vale the streets more than getting a career or job and going about life making the right choices.