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Juice (1992 film)

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Juice
Theatrical release poster
Directed byErnest R. Dickerson
Written by
  • Ernest R. Dickerson
  • Gerard Brown
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLarry Banks
Edited by
  • Brunilda Torres
  • Sam Pollard
Music byGary G-Wiz
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • January 17, 1992 (1992-01-17)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$20.1 million[1]

Juice is a 1992 American crime drama film directed by Ernest R. Dickerson and written by Ernest R. Dickerson and Gerard Brown. The film stars Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins, Khalil Kain, and Samuel L. Jackson. It has cameo appearances by Queen Latifah, EPMD, Special Ed, Ed Lover, Doctor Dré, Flex Alexander, Fab Five Freddy, Yo-Yo, Donald Faison and Treach.

The film touches on the lives of four youths growing up in Harlem. It follows the day-to-day activities in the young men's lives starting out as innocent mischief but growing more serious as time passes by. It also focuses on the struggles that these young men must go through everyday as well such as police harassment, rival neighborhood gangs and their families.[2]

The film was shot on location in New York City mainly in the Harlem area in April 1991.[3]

Plot

Bishop (Tupac Shakur), Q (Omar Epps), Raheem (Khalil Kain), and Steel (Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins) are four friends growing up together in Harlem. They regularly skip school, instead spending their days hanging out at Steel's apartment, at a neighborhood arcade, and also a record store where they steal LPs for Q's DJ interests. Generally, they are harassed daily by the police or a Puerto Rican gang led by Radames (Vincent Laresca).

One day, Bishop becomes tired of the harassment by police and gang members and decides that the group must go on to do bigger things in order to win respect. Q, however, is unsure if he wants to become involved in a life of crime. One Saturday night, under Bishop's persistence, the friends decide to rob a local bodega to teach the owner, Fernando Quiles, a lesson. At first Q hesitates to go through with the robbery, unsure whether it will be successful. He also fears it will affect his chances of participating in a DJ competition in which he has yearned to compete for years. After being pressured by his fellow crew members he decides to join in. During the heist, Bishop shoots the owner in the head, killing him.

After fleeing the scene, the four young men gather in an abandoned building where they argue over the evening's events. Q, Raheem and Steel become angry at Bishop for killing Mr. Quiles, and Raheem demands that Bishop give the gun to him. Bishop resists, and a struggle ensues between the two, and Bishop shoots Raheem dead. Panicking, Bishop, Q and Steel flee to an abandoned building, where Bishop threatens to kill Q and Steel if they reveal to anybody that he murdered Raheem.

Q and Steel realize that Bishop is beginning to break down and is becoming addicted to the thrill of killing. They agree to give Bishop as wide a berth as possible. However, while attending Raheem's funeral, the two are surprised to see Bishop there. Bishop goes as far as to hug Raheem's mother and promise to find his killer. Q and Steel are mostly generally able to avoid Bishop, but he finds them and confronts them one at a time, questioning their loyalty.

After a scuffle, Bishop kills Radames. In order to cover his tracks, he begins planning to frame Q for the murders of Quiles, Raheem and Radames. Fearful of Bishop, Q resorts to finding a gun for his protection. Meanwhile, Bishop confronts Steel in an alley, accusing him of disloyalty, and shoots him. Steel survives the attack and is rushed to the hospital, where he informs Q's girlfriend Yolanda (Cindy Herron) that he has been framed by Bishop. Fed up with both the tension and troubles brought upon him, Q throws his gun into the river and decides to confront Bishop unarmed. Q and Bishop meet up, where a scuffle and chase ensues.

Q is shot once in the arm during the chase, and he is subsequently chased into a building where a party is being held. Bishop begins firing into a group of party-goers in an attempt to hit Q, but Q escapes unharmed. Bishop also loses his weapon in the commotion. Bishop leaves the scene with Q following him. Q eventually finds Bishop on the roof of a high-rise building, and the two become engaged in a physical confrontation. Bishop eventually falls off the ledge, but is caught by Q. Bishop begs Q not to let go, but Q eventually loses his grip, and Bishop falls to his death.

As Q is leaving the rooftop, a crowd from the party gathers to see what happened. One of the people in the crowd turns to Q and says, "Yo, you got the juice now, man." Q turns to look at him, shakes his head in disgust, and walks away. The film ends with a flashback clip of the four friends together in happier times as Bishop yells, "Wrecking Crew!"

Cast

Production

The movie was filmed in April 1991. Daryl Mitchell, Treach, Money-B, and Donald Faison had auditioned for the role of Roland Bishop. Tupac Shakur accompanied Money-B to the audition and was asked to read. Tupac received the role of Roland Bishop after throwing a chair. Treach and Faison landed cameo roles as a rival gang member and a high school student.

Reception

The film received generally favorable reviews.[4] Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an 83% approval rating based on 18 reviews.[5] Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars, praising the film as "one of those stories with the quality of a nightmare, in which foolish young men try to out-macho one another until they get trapped in a violent situation which will forever alter their lives.".[6] Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "B+" grading, based on how it depicts four young characters who try to gain complete self-control over their surroundings.[citation needed]

The film is an inflammatory morality play shot through with rage and despair. Like Boyz N the Hood and Straight Out of Brooklyn, it asks: When every aspect of your environment is defined by violence, is it possible to avoid getting sucked into the maelstrom?[7]

Dickerson also received praise for his directorial skills:

Coming out from behind Spike Lee's camera, Ernest Dickerson has instantly arrived at the forefront of the new wave of black directors. His film aims for the gut, and hits it.[7]

Soundtrack

Year Title Chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
U.S. U.S. R&B
1991 Juice
  • Released: December 31, 1991
  • Label: MCA
 17 3

References

  1. ^ "Juice (1992)". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. 1992-03-03. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  2. ^ Fox, David J. (1992-01-13). "'Juice' Ads Raise Fears of Violence". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
  3. ^ Gregory, Deborah (1992-01-24). "New York Story". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  4. ^ Turan, Kenneth (1992-01-17). "Is This 'Juice' Fresh?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
  5. ^ "Juice". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  6. ^ "Juice". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  7. ^ a b "News Review: Juice". Entertainment Weekly. 1992-01-24.
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