Paid in Full based on Harlem
by Brian Abrams, reporter

    Some crime drama buffs may not agree, but this movie watcher found Paid in Full should have come with a money-back guarantee.

   Charles Stone’s first feature film, based on a true story, takes a look inside Harlem in the 1980s, illustrating the ruthless ways of survival and gains on the street.

   Stone, who directed the “wassup” Budweiser Super Bowl commercials, makes an admirable effort toward executing the film, but an unfortunately thin plot does not help the two-hour reel.

   Wood Harris plays Ace, the dry cleaner delivery boy with a watchful eye.

   Encircled by his felonious peers Mitch (Mekhi Pfifer) and Calvin (Kevin Carroll) and the influence of the Puerto Rican hustler Lulu (a very Banderas-esque Esai Morales), our leading man falls to the ever so tempting schemes of dealing cocaine.

   Quickly, the dry cleaner turns quiet man/tough guy and suddenly understands the fine points of the dope game.

   Shortly after building his cartel and running the streets of Harlem, Ace finds his business going south.

   The hurried pace of the storyline is off-putting, as is the underdevelopment of its characters.

   Two first appear as primary influences; then they completely disappear.

   The owner of the dry cleaner (Chi McBride) and Ace’s wife (Elise Neal), symbolizing virtue, constantly remind Ace of an alternate lifestyle.

   The script never allows these characters to carry out their promise and leaves the audience walking away with little gained.

   One endeavor from Stone deserves mention. While Ace and his friends hit the movies for the opening of Scarface, a mob shooting transpires in Harlem.

   As Al Pacino murders his betraying associates on the screen, Mitch’s gang emulates the same actions on the street.

   Once again, Stone proves his skills with quick blows to the camera as he has previously done with his beer commercials.

   Unfortunately, all in all, the only item Paid in Full when walking out of the theater is the ticket.