Film Review: Baby Boy (2001)

South Central, troubled section of Los Angeles, served as an inspiration for John Singleton for his celebrated 1991 directorial debut Boyz N the Hood. Ten years later Singleton returned to the same setting with his drama Baby Boy.

The protagonist, played by Tyrese Gibson, is Joseph “Jody” Summers is 20-year African American man, who like so many of his peers, has a lot of free time he uses it in not always the most constructive ways. He made his girlfriend Yvette (played by Taraji P. Hanson) pregnant, but that doesn’t prevent him from having relationship with Peanut (played by Tamara La Seon Bass), another girl with whom he has a daughter. Despite being father of two children, Jody doesn’t even think about supporting them by going to college or taking a steady job. Reason might be found in the fact that he still lives with her 36-year old mother Juanita (played by Adrienne Joi-Johnston) who provides him free food and shelter, thus allowing him plenty of free time to spend hanging around with his friend Sweetpea (played by Omar Gooding), a street bum. His lifestyle might change when Juanita brings her latest boyfriend Melvin (played by Ving Rhames), construction worker and ex convict, to live in her house. He tells Jody in no uncertain terms that he doesn’t like his presence in Juanita’s home. While Jody tries to adapt to new circumstances by starting his own small time and quasi-legal business, Yvette becomes so angry over Jody’s infidelities that she decides to leave him. Things get even worse when Yvette’s former boyfriend Rodney (played by Snoop Dogg), a violent thug, gets released from prison and considers Jody main impediment for future new life with Yvette.

Comparisons between Boyz N the Hood and Baby Boy might give impression that general situation for African Americans has at least slightly improved in ten years. Some of the benefits of Clinton era economic policies have trickled down even to ghettos; unemployment isn’t so high and even white racism doesn’t appear to be source of all of community problems. Singleton mentions racism only in the film’s opening, which, on the other hand, explicitly states main thesis of Baby Boy - African American men became so infantilised that they aren’t able to take responsibility for their lives any more. That reflects to African American community through drugs, violence, but also completely inverted social values – the women are those who support the men, and not the other way around. Women are also all but reconciled with male promiscuity which is, due to large number of eligible men ending in graveyards and prisons and leaving few that are available.

Those lucid sociological observations are conveyed to the viewers through powerful drama. Apart from showing good script and skilful direction, Singleton also had good cast at his disposal. Like in his celebrated debut, Singleton relied mostly on lesser known actors, and that included Tyrese Gibson, until that time known only as singer and MTV VJ. The role of Jody would later help him build successful acting career. Singleton managed to extract last piece of talent from many of his cast, and that included Ving Rhames in the complex role of ex convict. Casting was, on the other hand, less than perfect in the case of Snoop Dogg, who simply looked too eccentric and whose presence shattered illusion of Baby Boy being realistic film. At times, Singleton was too much in love with some of his characters, thus allowing their subplots to unnecessarily prolong the running time. But, at the end of the day, Baby Boy still works as surprisingly intelligent and socially relevant piece of modern cinema.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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