boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets cute girl back

September 23, 2023 8:36 AM

'Poetic Justice' at 30: Reflecting on the Film and its Impact on the Black Community [ONE37] “On July 23, 1993 music icons Tupac and Janet Jackson came out with a movie that will forever remain a cult classic—Poetic Justice. It's hard to believe that so much time has passed since its original release as Poetic Justice has seemed to be the gift that keeps on giving in the Black community. For us millennials, the film is one of those "right-of-passage" must-see ones that was shown to you by your parents when you were a kid/teenager, and in turn, you are supposed to pass it down to your children and younger siblings/relatives. And don't get us started on Halloween—you can't go a Halloween season without seeing loads of girls dressed as Poetic Justice Janet (and their S/Os as Tupac when they want to team up), and "Janet Jackson braids" are very much a real thing and a real requested hair style. With it being the films 30th anniversary, we figured it would be a good time to take a look back at the impact the movie had at the time of its release, and the impact it continues to have today.” [Poetic Justice (1993) | Film Trailer]

• The Critique That Inspired John Singleton to Make Poetic Justice [The Atlantic]

“Justice was also Singleton’s way of responding to critiques that he had largely diminished the experiences of young black women, namely single mothers, in Boyz, with one-dimensional characterizations. The late media critic and director Jacquie Jones, writing in Cineaste in 1991, said that the women in Boyz were cast “to symbolize the oppressions facing black men, as either barriers or burdens … Here, the female characters have carefully calculated, though secondary, roles which affirm the central theme of their blame and ineptitude.” Jones goes on to say that “as long as the humanity of young black men rests on the dismissal of black women, we, as black people, are not making progress—cinematic or otherwise.” In creating Justice, Jackson’s character, Singleton had a definite vision. During a 1993 interview with The Washington Post, he revealed that the idea for Justice germinated from his thoughts about the girlfriends left behind once their partners’ lives were claimed by gang violence. In his book, Poetic Justice: Filmmaking South Central Style, Singleton wrote that he asked himself, after dealing with the insecurities of black men in Boyz, “Why not do a movie about a young sister and how all the tribulations of the brothers affect her?” He attributed that inspiration to his observation that “some of the most complex, sexy, diverse, three-dimensional women I’ve ever seen in my life all came out of my neighborhood. They all had a certain mold of substance.” From this vantage point, Singleton fashioned a black woman rarely seen on-screen to sit at the focus of his screenplay.”

• 10 reasons why 'Poetic Justice' is an undisputed classic [Revolt]

# 4 The road trip to Oakland

Nothing brings people together or tears them apart quite like a road trip, which we learned from watching Justice, Lucky, Chicago and Iesha’s experience. Over the course of the trip, all four characters experience a range of emotions and moments that will alter their lives forever and discover things about themselves that would impact their outlook on life. From shooting water pistols at the rest stop, to heated arguments and quickies in the back of the mail truck, Poetic Justice showed the good, bad and ugly of the co-ed road trip and romanticized the idea of mixing work with a little bit of pleasure.

#9 It showed Tupac’s range as an actor

Wowing audiences with his portrayal of Bishop in the 1991 film Juice, Tupac Shakur was touted as an artist with the acting chops to thrive in Hollywood. However, being typecast into roles as a thug or criminal has stunted the careers of many actors, let along artists looking to make the transition into film. So when Tupac was cast as Lucky, a law-abiding mailman and caring father looking to help his cousin pursue their dream, the role was the polar opposite of Bishop and was a testament of his range as an actor and his ability to play characters that didn’t align with his image as a rapper.

#10 Janet Jackson’s show of strength and vulnerability

Long before feminism became a topic of discussion in the mainstream, Poetic Justice helped introduce a nation of black women to the movement through Jackson’s character Justice, who demanded respect from men like Lucky and helped uplift women like her friend Iesha and inspired them to love themselves. In addition to her strength and lack of tolerance for being objectified or called out of her name, Justice also displays a vulnerability that belies her hardened exterior, particular in her comfort of Lucky and their unlikely romance.

posted by Fizz (12 comments total)

Also, Poetic Justice is currently streaming on The Criterion Channel as a part of a collection of films centered around the theme of 'hip-hop in film'.
posted by Fizz at 8:40 AM on September 23, 2023 [4 favorites]

Also, also, note that Maya Angelou wrote all the poetry that Janet/Justice performs throughout the course of the film and there are a ton of cameos from a variety of legendary black actors and musicians. I just finished a rewatch (only my second time) and while the film was always a stand-out in my mind, this most current viewing was intense and so much more enjoyable with adult eyes and context of having been in a few relationships over the course of my life.

Regarding the film's history, it was not very well loved by critics at the time of its release, but I believe so much of that is centered around the fact that everyone was expecting the film to be another Boys n the Hood, and its not trying to be that at all. It's a more subtle film about trauma/communication that explores these issues inside of a road-film through the romance of two young black performers who bring so much heart and feeling to their roles.
posted by Fizz at 9:54 AM on September 23, 2023 [2 favorites]

It's also currently free on Tubi.

Love a romantic lead who's also a USPS employee.

Also, Maya Angelou wrote those poems (on preview, yes!)
posted by the primroses were over at 10:00 AM on September 23, 2023 [5 favorites]

The beauty of art is that its power is capable of achieving one than more goal. I don't think you need to be black to enjoy Poetic Justice. Yes, the movie is centered on experiences that are going to be more particular and familiar to many people who are black, but how is that different from any other movie with broad appeal that happens to be centered on white experiences? The human experience is a spectrum, but there are central themes that pervade nearly all walks of life. And this is a film that's abundant with those themes.

Tupac and Janet brought so much of themselves to these roles. Seeing Maya Angelou show up halfway through the film was another delightful surprise. If you're thinking about skipping this one, don't. It's a gem.
posted by nightrecordings at 10:28 AM on September 23, 2023 [3 favorites]

My first exposure to the film was at an urban high school, where I was teaching English. I heard people loudly arguing the in next classroom, and went over to see if anyone needed help. Turns out it wasn't a problem, it was Poetic Justice.
posted by kozad at 10:53 AM on September 23, 2023 [2 favorites]

Seems to have been more a left-of-passage film.
posted by nofundy at 11:39 AM on September 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

I've always wanted to see this and I should try to git it.
posted by ovvl at 1:42 PM on September 23, 2023

It's on Tubi! I'm literally watching it right now! I forgot how good it is!
posted by flamk at 2:41 PM on September 23, 2023 [2 favorites]

I just watched it too, Tubi link in this thread. Very sweet ending.
posted by Glinn at 4:17 PM on September 23, 2023

Should definitely put this on our watch list. I saw it on video in the 90s but not since. Definitely remember it being excellent!
posted by obfuscation at 4:29 PM on September 23, 2023

Based on Poetic Justice I went to a showing of Higher Learning on a date. When it quickly became apparent this was a terrible decision we left. But instead of demanding our money back or making a fuss we just snuck into a different movie.

Now I'm wondering how Higher Learning would hold up.
posted by zenon at 9:01 AM on September 24, 2023

somehow i have never even heard of this movie. it looks good! but also the trailer makes it seem a bit cheesy.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 7:33 AM on September 26, 2023