Boyz n the Hood

Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Angela Bassett, Regina King, Nia Long
Directed by: John Singleton
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
1991

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Three friends (Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut) grow up in a dangerous neighborhood in South Central Los Angeles where murder and crime are a part of everyday life. In the midst of so many challenges, they search for a path to a better life.

Review:

Tim: John Singleton accomplished something tremendous with Boyz n the Hood. By writing and directing this film himself, he ensured it would portray what it was like growing up in the worst neighborhoods in South Central Los Angeles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. His authentic take on this comes from personal experience- this film doesn't have even a whiff of the artificiality that so often comes with Hollywood movies. This film is gritty, believable, and it packs a memorable punch.

As told in this film, growing up in some of these neighborhoods was like living in a war zone. The poverty, drug use, and general hopelessness created a self-fulfilling cycle that kept a generation of kids from achieving their full potential (or anything close to their life expectancy). It was fascinating and terrible to watch this culture portrayed here. This is the kind of place where coming out of prison affords you more respect than hitting the books in school. For many people, life is short and brutal and will almost certainly end violently. For a few, there's at least the hope of a better life- although the obstacles in front of them were massive. Watching this movie, you really get a sense for what it might be like living in conditions like this (although you can never really know that from the comfort of your couch).

I loved the way this film focused on the characters first. The film really focuses on three young men, each on different paths. Tre is the most fortunate of the three. He has a strong, caring father who ensured he would stay on the straight path. He has the most opportunity, the most hope of making something of his life. And yet, it's not like he is free from his surroundings. Promise and potential don't guarantee success. Cuba Gooding Jr. does a very good job of playing this young man pulled between the world he inhabits and the dream of the world he could one day live in. His performance is strong and there are several very impressive scenes where Gooding Jr. is able to showcase his talent. Doughboy is on a very different path- he's embraced the worst aspects of this culture and has thrived in them. He doesn't have the optimism of his brother or his friends. This character felt like many people I've known in my life- people who don't have much ambition outside of making the best of a bad situation. Ice Cube gives a stunningly authentic performance in his acting debut. Cube perfectly embodies the mentality that so many young men have. He's arrogant and brash and thinks the world of himself because he doesn't get much love or appreciation from the world or those in it. Cube's performance is one that I keep coming back to in my mind, even more than Gooding's. I thoroughly enjoyed his realistic performance here. If Tre represents one extreme and Doughboy the other, Ricky is caught in the middle. He has the athletic ability to get out of the hood, but he's made some mistakes in his life and gets pulled back into the self-destructive nature of his environment. I thought Morris Chestnut gave a good performance, although he's not as good as Gooding or Cube.

Outside of the three impressive leads, the film is helped by a remarkable performance by Laurence Fishburne. I loved his performance so much- he's strong and intelligent and hopeful, even while confronting the brutal facts of reality. His performance is one of the most powerful and impressive of the entire film. Angela Bassett, Nia Long, and Regina King all add in good supporting performances as well. Taken in its entirety, the cast for this film is amazing.

In under two hours, Singleton is able to introduce this neighborhood and the characters in it to the point where it feels like we're right there with them. The characters are fleshed out and complicated so they feel like authentic people. They face ups and downs throughout the story and we grow to care about them. The emotional connection established with the characters is critical. It helps that the story is often riveting and suspenseful, especially the unforgettable climax of the movie. This film is at turns hilarious, heartfelt, violent, and thought-provoking. Boyz n the Hood is a stunning achievement for first time writer/director John Singleton. I love that this film received two Academy Award nominations- Singleton was nominated for Best Director (the youngest director to ever receive a nomination and stunningly, the first African-American director ever recognized in this category), and he also received a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. This movie is an example of what can happen when a director has a clear vision and executes it exceptionally well. Boyz n the Hood is a great film and it's impact will last for a long, long time.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



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