Baby Boy (2001)

A worthy companion piece to 1991's Boyz N the Hood, John Singleton's Baby Boy expresses compassionate but unforgiving criticism of young, African American black men who lead reckless, irresponsible lives while blithely blaming racism for their chronic disadvantage. That's already enough to make this a provocative and emotionally challenging film, but Singleton injects his drama with such passionate vitality that it never seems inflammatory; instead, in presenting this portrait of a confused and conflicted 20-year-old black man named Jody (Tyrese Gibson), Singleton is both affectionate and accusatory, lending Baby Boy an edgy, timeless wisdom that other, less courageous films could never hope to offer.

Unemployed and living with his 36-year-old mother (A.J. Johnson), Jody has fathered children from two young mothers and seems destined for an early grave. He never knew his father, but his mother's new boyfriend Melvin (played to perfection by Ving Rhames) is an ex-con with streetwise maturity that Jody, in time, will come to recognize and respect. This generational dynamic is the lifeblood of Singleton's central theme; Jody can follow Melvin's example or fall into the trap of lawlessness personified by Rodney (Snoop Dogg), a violent gangsta who arrives to threaten Jody's tenuous chance at a respectable adulthood. Through a wealth of fine performances and blistering dialogue, Baby Boy presents hard questions with no easy answers, and although Singleton is prone to polemical melodrama, his blunt approach serves a noble and ultimately hopeful purpose. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

A Moving Tale Of One Mans Fear To Leave His Mothers Nest

John Singleton is a director that has brought us great movies that are typically based on the life of a young African American facing some sort of struggle. This, to some may seem very clichéd and in a sense it is. John Singleton gives us the stereotypical Afro American in LA setting. This is something we see a lot in "Keeping it real" black movies, and simply a lot of young Afro-Americans will tell you that life in these areas is simply not like it's depicted. With the cliché this film does give us a true image of what every person faces in their lives and that's the transition into adulthood when we must all leave the family nest and take flight by ourselves.

Jody is a young African American man who still lives with his mother and her new lover in LA. Jody has a son and daughter to two different women and instead of growing up and becoming a responsible adult, he still remains un-employed and scared to leave home. Jody is a man who desperately wants to turn his life around and become the responsible father that he never had, but can't get over the fear of leaving his mothers nest and flying on his own.

The cast of Ving Rhames, Tyrese Gibson, Taraji P. Henson and A.J. Johnson really make this movie blend well. There are, however some real stereotyping issues that must be discussed to really give a fair and honest portrayal of this movie. There are quite a few stereotypes in this movie that I think all will agree should not really take place in this movie if it was an attempt to give a real depiction of Afro-American life. The black kid without a Dad, the abusive boyfriend slaps around his girl yet she stays with him, the black guy who has more than one girlfriend and a child that he doesn't really care about. These are all typical African American stereotypes that I just feel if John Singleton really set out to make a serious movie then these weren't really necessary. I mentioned that this movie touches on something that we all face in our lifetime, and that's true, we all face the time when we must leave home and start a nest of our own. Some find it easier than others and this film displays someone who really can't get the courage to get out there on his own.

It is something we've seen a thousand times before and is something we will see a thousand times more, the only real triumph of this movie is the believability and chemistry of the cast. Buy it, but be warned, you've seen it all before. June 22, 2008

One of the best films of the summer 2001

Baby Boy was one of the best films to be released in the summer of 2001. The film which tells the story of a man who needs to grow up, really hit home for guys who live in single parents with their mothers. The acting is exceptional in particular Tyrese who plays Jody. Snoop is also good as Rodney as is Omar Gooding. The best acting job comes from Ving Rhames as Jody's mom's new man and Taraji P. Henson as Jody's girl. This film is highly recommended. The only ones who didn't like it were those who didn't understand the message. March 25, 2008

This Baby Boy needs a whooping

The movie is basically about Tyrese's Character "Jody" who still lives with his mom and is trying to make ends meet while having to put with his extremely pesky girl whose ex-boyfriend just got out of prison(played by Snoop Dogg). The main problem with this movie is that there is nothing about it that differetiates it from other "hood" movies. At least with Boyz N The Hood, you had Laurence Fishburne's character "Furious" who added a sense of awareness to the movie. Baby Boy is just dumb. I gave it two stars beacause Tyrese as well as Ving Rhymes and Snoop Dogg were not bad in the movie. Whoever thought Omar Gooding was a good actor needs to be slapped. He was horrendous as Peanut. Taraji P Henson's character "Yvette" is the most annoying character, I've ever seen. Her incessant whining about Jody's unfaithfulness nearly drove me beserk! In short Baby Boy is just another hood movie. Boyz N The Hood and South Central feat Glenn Plummer are recommended over this slop. This baby boy should have been grounded for the rest of its life. John Singleton's best years in the movie business are looooong gone! February 25, 2008

I knew plenty of people who acted just like the characters portrayed in John Singleton's Baby Boy

Repsonse to Mecca Egypt. I am a white girl who grew up in New Mexico and I knew plenty of people who acted just like the characters portrayed in John Singleton's Baby Boy. You probably just didn't surround yourself with that lifestyle, but just because you have never experienced it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. If it didn't exist, you wouldn't hear about hundreds of gang members who get shot daily around the country let alone Los Angeles. Don't be so naive. It's out there, trust me, It's out there. As far as my review of the movie; it was excellent. It shows the vicious cycle & pressures of being, young, scared & dumb in America today. Well done. December 2, 2007

AWESOME!!!!

I bought this movie when it first came out some years ago...it is still one of my favorite movies!!! I can relate to the characters, I cry with them, Laugh, I totally enjoy this movie and would recommend it to anyone.
I have watched it over 500 times and know all the words...I bought it at least 3 times because it scratches after watching it so many times....PLEASE BUY IT!!!! September 27, 2007

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