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BABY BOY
Director John Singleton's journey through an inner-city L.A. neighborhood and its complex social and political issues. Jody, a misguided, 20-year-old African-American who is really just a "baby boy" is finally forced -- kicking and screaming -- to face the commitments of real life.
-Review by David Bruce

BABY BOY
(2001)


This page was created on June 28, 2001
This page was last updated on May 22, 2005
Credits

Directed by John Singleton
Writing credits John Singleton

Snoop Doggy Dogg .... Rodney
Tamara LaSeon Bass .... Peanut
Angell Conwell .... Kim
Candy Ann Brown .... Mrs Herron
Omar Gooding .... Sweet Pea
Taraji P. Henson .... Yvette
Adrienne-Joi Johnson .... Juanita
Ving Rhames .... Melvin
Tyrese Gibson .... Jody

Produced by Sabrina Gray (associate), Dwight Williams (executive)
Original music by David Arnold,
Songs from Snoop Doggy Dogg, Marvin Gaye, Macy Gray, Tyrese

MPAA Rating R - for strong sexuality, language, violence and some drug

QuickTime Trailer
8.9 MB
3.2 MB

RealVideo
low bandwidth
high bandwidth


Baby Boy (Original Soundtrack)
Various Artists -2001
1. The Womb (Intro) - Baby Boy ST (Explicit) 2. Just A Baby Boy - Snoop Dogg 3. Just A Man - Raphael Saadiq 4. Focus (Interlude) - Baby Boy ST (Explicit) 5. Baby Mama - Three 6 Mafia 6. Talk S*** 2 Ya - D'Angelo 7. I'd Rather Be With You - Bootsy Collins 8. You - Felicia Adams 9. Jody Meets Rodney - Baby Boy ST (Explicit) 10. Crip Hop - The Eastsidaz 11. Thatshowegetdown - B.G. 12. Guns And Butter (Interlude) - Baby Boy ST (Explicit) 13. We Keep It G - Lost Angels 14. Eat Sleep Think - Connie McKendrick 15. Just To Keep You Satisfied - Marvin Gaye 16. I Hate You (Interlude) - Baby Boy ST (Explicit) 17. Love & War - Anthony Hamilton 18. Straight ******* - The Transitions 19. Baby Boy - Felicia Adams

BABY BOY

STUDIO SYNOPSIS:
Click to enlargeIn 1991, 23 year-old director John Singleton guided viewers through South Central Los Angeles, taking an unflinching look at the devastating impact of violence on the black family. Boyz N The Hood's realistic portrayal of the inner city changed the face of black cinema forever.

Click to enlargeTen years later, the Academy Award-nominated director and writer returns to the same inner-city LA neighborhood and its complex social and political issues for the story of Jody (Tyrese Gibson), a misguided, 20-year-old African-American who is really just a "baby boy" finally forced -- kicking and screaming -- to face the commitments of real life.

Click to enlargeStreetwise and jobless, he has not only fathered two children by two different women -- Yvette (Taraji P. Henson) and Peanut (Tamara Bass) but still lives with his own mother. He can't seem to strike a balance or find direction in his chaotic life. To make matters worse, Jody must contend with his volatile best friend, Sweetpea (Omar Gooding), who has spent his life shuffling in and out of prison and seems to find trouble wherever he goes.

Click to enlargeIn the meantime, Jody's 36-year-old mother, Juanita (A.J. Johnson), has finally started to live her life again and is dating Melvin (Ving Rhames), a reformed O.G. ("old gangster"). Juanita is enjoying the simple things in life -- her mantras, her garden, her new man -- and wants Jody to finally take responsibility for his own life and children. Once Melvin moves in, there's little room in the nest for a kid who's overstayed his welcome and is perfectly content to ride the line between boy and man. Click to enlarge

Inevitably, Jody must face Melvin, both his "baby mamas," a new adversary, Rodney (Snoop Dogg), and his own fears of adulthood if he wants to escape the life of a baby boy.
? 2001 Columbia Pictures

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Click to enlarge
REVIEW

BEING BORN ANEW
By David Bruce

Click to enlargeAN AMAZING FILM
This is one of the most honest films about the struggle of the African American male I have ever seen. John Singleton has given us a real treasure filled with insight, spirituality and honesty.

The goal in this film is to become whole. To be born again. To pass from boyhood to manhood. To be the father with the wife and not the little son living with mother.

Click to enlargeIN THE WOMB
Visually, the film opens with a full-grown African American Male in the womb of his mother. Right from the start we know this film is about being born -born anew into manhood.

Click to enlargeTHE MAN WHO IS A BOY
The film begins with some thought provoking statements:
What does a black man call his male friends?
-The boys.
What does a back man call his girl friend?
-His mama
What does a black man call his pad?
-His crib.

Click to enlargeGO SEE THIS FILM
Some films entertain the eyes.
Some films educate the mind.
This film goes for the soul.

ON BEING A FATHER...

Becoming a father is easy enough, but being one can be rough. WILHELM BUSCH (1832?1908)

It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father. POPE JOHN XXIII (1881?1963)

BEING BORN AGAIN...

You must be born again. This is not a command, it is a foundation fact. The characteristic of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that Christ is formed in me.
--OSWALD CHAMBERS

Your whole nature must be re-born, your passions, and your affections, and your aims, and your conscience, and your will must all be bathed in a new element and reconsecrated to your Maker and, the last not the least, your intellect.
--CARDINAL JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

THIS FILM FAILED
Subject: Baby Boy
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001
From: Chris Utley

...i would have liked a more comprehensive review. i would like to know from your POV how this movie was aiming for the soul. i strongly disagree with this notion. as a Black MAN-not boy-living in South Central LA and as a supporter of John Singleton's films, i think this film failed. all John did was tell us for the umpteenth time what all the problems are...the only solution he offered was "kill off all your enemies and go home to your girlfriend and all your problems are solved."

we in South Central LA know what the problems are-absent fathers, lack of male role models, no Jesus Christ in our lives...and the little bit of Christ we see is watered down with church stuff. i wish John would have offered some real solutions and showed a REAL portrait of the transformation from Boys to Men.
Chris Utley

AMAZING
Subject: Baby_Boy
Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2001
From: Gregg Farah

amazing film. exceedingly upsetting, but an incredible depiction of the tension and struggle faced by individuals from a variety of levels. There are several compelling stories within this story. I immediately went out and rented Singleton's "Higher LEarning" and was disappointed in that film. His film making has come a long way and Baby Boy is a wonderful addition to his resume.
Gregg Farah

OFFICIAL SITE
Baby Boy ? 2001 Columbia Pictures. All Rights Reserved.