Film: Boyz N The Hood
Director: John Singleton
Country: USA
Released: July 1991
Runtime: 112 minutes
Genre: Drama
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Influenced: Spike Lee, Hughes Brothers, Ava DuVernay, F. Gary Gray, Barry Jenkins
John Singleton started directing Boyz N The Hood just 4 months out of University of Southern California film school. The movie is a highly personal project based on his own experiences growing up in Inglewood, Los Angeles. Singleton recruited his friend Laurence Fishburne to play the strong father figure, Furious Styles, a character based on Singleton’s own father, who like Furious took care of his son during his teenage years, teaching him how to take responsibility and be disciplined. After getting the green light for the project from Columbia, Singleton asked Fishburne which actor he wanted to work with on the film and the answer was Angela Bassett, who plays Furious' wife, Reva. The film revolves around the lives of three childhood friends in South Central LA: Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr), Ricky Baker (Morris Chestnut) and Doughboy (Ice Cube). Tre is sent to live with his strict father, Furious, after getting into trouble at school. At its heart, the film is about role models, communities and coming of age.
As the film progresses, it explores the challenges and dangers the characters face as they grow up in a neighbourhood plagued by poverty, violence and drugs. Ricky, a talented football player with dreams of playing in college, tries to escape the cycle of violence and poverty. Doughboy, Ricky's half-brother, is a hot-headed and violent young man drawn into a life of crime and gang affiliation. The film opens with Tre witnessing a murder as a child, which sets the tone for the pervasive violence in the Crenshaw neighbourhood where he grows up. The film offered a perspective that was often overlooked in Hollywood at the time, giving a voice to the country's African-American community. Boyz N The Hood was one of the first films to provide a realistic portrayal of life in South Central LA, tackling issues of race, violence and systemic inequality.
Two of the film's key moments are Tre's father Furious giving him a "hood pass" (permission to defend himself if necessary) and Ricky's death in a drive-by shooting. Singleton had initially written a scene in which Doughboy is killed at the end of the film, but Ice Cube, who portrayed the character, convinced the director to change the ending. Ice Cube felt that it was important to show the consequences of the cycle of violence and to emphasise the message that the murders in the community needed to stop. He believed that letting Doughboy survive, albeit deeply affected by the violence, would better convey that message. Boyz N The Hood also addresses the issue of the policing of black communities, with characters having various run-ins with the police, notably an early scene when Furious and Tre are pulled over for a broken taillight. Furious uses the encounter as a teachable moment for his son, explaining to Tre that it's important to remain calm, cooperate with the police and always know your rights.
Boyz N The Hood was a critical and commercial success, and nominated for two Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay for Singleton and Best Supporting Actor for Fishburne. The film also won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Singleton's direction was particularly prized for its authenticity, drawing inspiration from his personal experiences to create a genuine portrayal of inner-city life for black communities. The film became a cultural touchstone for discussions about race, violence and urban life in America. Featuring a mostly black cast and crew, Boyz N The Hood also helped to open doors for other African-American filmmakers and actors, while also launching the careers of Singleton, Gooding Jr and Ice Cube.
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