Baby Boy

Theatrical Release Date: 2001 06 27 (USA)

UPC: 043396151024

Studio: Sony Pictures

MPAA Rating: R   Contains:[Violence, Not For Children, Profanity, Substance Abuse, Sexual Situations]

Summary: Ten years later, writer and director John Singleton returns to the South Central Los Angeles neighborhoods of his debut film Boyz 'N the Hood (1991). Tyrese Gibson stars as Jody, a jobless 20-year-old African-American man who has fathered two children by two different women, Yvette (Taraji P. Henson) and Peanut (Tamara LaSeon Bass), although he still lives with his 36-year-old mother Juanita (Adrienne-Joi Johnson). As Jody grapples with the increasing pressures of adult responsibility, he also contends with his troubled best friend Sweetpea (Omar Gooding) and new adversary Rodney (Snoop Doggy Dogg). Then there's his mother's live-in boyfriend Marvin (Ving Rhames), a reformed gangsta who agrees with Juanita that her son should grow up, move out, and move on. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Category: Drama

Baby Boy

Format: Universal Media Disc

Release Date: 07/04/2006

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: 2 PCM stereo

Runtime: 130 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French

Subtitles: English,French,Portuguese,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Derek Armstrong

Since Boyz 'N the Hood put him on the map, John Singleton has gone as far afield from that territory as a director can, from color-blind social commentary (Higher Learning) to historical drama (Rosewood) to outright escapism (Shaft). Ten years later, he returns to the mean streets of South Central Los Angeles, but this is a kinder, gentler Singleton, one interested in relationships defined more by underlying kindness than vengeful spite, one content to stop shy of operatic tragedy. As a result, Baby Boy feels a little neutered, even if it features astute observations about the societal roles ascribed to young African-American males, as well as the regrettable dynamics that grow from them. Singleton starts by quoting a psychologist who posits that the young black man is treated (and behaves) like a baby, incapable of tapping into a higher purpose while content to languish in neediness. From here he launches into a study of one particular "baby boy," Jody (credibly played by singer Tyrese Gibson in his film debut), whose relationships with the mothers of his two children, as well as his own mother, speak volumes about his stunted growth. Jody's head-butting with his mother's new boyfriend (Ving Rhames) and a paroled thug (Snoop Dogg) showcase more of the familiar friction from Boyz, which also has its place in this world of hair-trigger machismo. Singleton is a bit too heavy-handed -- a mural-sized portrait of slain gangsta rapper Tupac Shakur watches ominously over Jody's bed -- but even in a lesser effort, he remains one of film's most talented chroniclers of underexamined lives. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Angell Conwell  Actor 
John Singleton  Director 
John Singleton  Producer 
John Singleton  Screenwriter 
David Arnold  Composer (Music Score) 
Dwight Williams  Producer 
Tyrese Gibson  Actor 
Omar Gooding  Actor 
A.J. Johnson  Actor 
Taraji P. Henson  Actor 
Snoop Dogg  Actor 
Tamara LaSeon Bass  Actor 
Ving Rhames  Actor 
Mo'Nique  Actor 

Country: USA