Midweek Mention... Paid In Full

You can now text us anonymously to leave feedback, suggest future content or simply hurl abuse at us. We'll read out any texts we receive on the show. Click here to try it out!

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review! This week we’re heading back to the early 2000s with Paid in Full (2002), a gritty street-level crime drama from director Charles Stone III, which dives deep into the Harlem drug scene of the 1980s. The film stars Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer, and rapper Cam’ron in a fictionalised take on the lives of real-life hustlers Azie Faison, Rich Porter, and Alpo Martinez.

Wood Harris plays Ace, a quiet, hardworking laundromat employee who tries to avoid the street life. That is, until he stumbles upon a stash of drugs in a customer’s laundry and finds himself slowly drawn into the world of dealing. His best friend Mitch (Mekhi Phifer), already a big name in the game, welcomes him into the fold, and together with the unpredictable Rico (Cam’ron), the trio builds a lucrative operation that soon brings wealth, respect… and serious danger.

What begins as a tale of brotherhood and ambition quickly spirals into a cautionary tale of greed, betrayal, and the brutal realities of life on the street. Ace rises through the ranks with a calm, business-like approach to dealing, but as Mitch faces personal tragedy and Rico’s recklessness increases, their empire begins to crack from within. It’s a familiar arc in the world of crime dramas, but Paid in Full plays it with enough emotional sincerity and cultural specificity to leave a lasting impression.

This one’s not for the kids – it's a tough, streetwise film with moments of graphic violence and drug use. But for adult viewers, particularly fans of urban dramas or those who grew up during the golden age of hip-hop, Paid in Full offers a layered and sobering perspective on the rise-and-fall crime narrative.

Whether you’re revisiting it or watching it for the first time, Paid in Full still resonates. It's a stark reminder that behind the glamour of the drug game lies tragedy, and that the streets don’t let go easily.

🍿💵🎤

We love to hear from our listeners! By which I mean we tolerate it. If it hasn't been completely destroyed yet you can usually find us on twitter @dads_film, on Facebook Bad Dads Film Review, on email at [email protected] or on our website baddadsfilm.com.

Until next time, we remain...

Bad Dads