Writer/Director: John Singleton
Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cub and Morris Chestnut
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films that audiences treasure like Cuba Gooding Jr. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Cuba Gooding Jr. has made strong films. Whether it is political leaders, football players or famous writers, Gooding Jr. has portrayed many bold characters. Arguably, Gooding Jr’s strength as an actor has often been his powerful presence. He is one of those rare actors that has always had aptitude for stealing a show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he’s not the main focus of a movie, Gooding Jr. has always left an impression. Through his ability to portray characters which prove compelling, Gooding Jr. has built a commemorated legacy which is lasting. A inspiring African American icon, Gooding Jr. has been an actor that has achieved immense appreciation. Throughout his enduring career, Gooding Jr. has made several memorable films that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Gooding Jr. and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “Boyz n the Hood” is my favourite. Released in 1991, John Singleton’s film offered a powerful portrait of racist neighbourhoods. Packed with breathtaking production design, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about racism. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Cuba Gooding Jr., who portrays a poor black man stuck in a neighbourhood facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Boyz n the Hood” an awe-inspiring masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most films about the black community, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about an intense neighbourhood, there are many strong reasons why “Boyz n the Hood” is a film worth watching.
Set in an intense neighbourhood, “Boyz n the Hood” tells the story of a black man enduring tensions that’s misunderstood. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays Tre Styles, a young black man that’s raised in a neighbourhood enduring tensions. Tre has always shared a strong bond with his father Furious (Laurence Fishburne), whom he loves dearly. Furious has always tried to do his best to protect his son from the gangsters in a town which is dangerous. However, Tre’s life is changes when he discovers the consequences of a neighbourhood causing disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Tre soon begins to wonder whether it’s possible for him to achieve e happiness in a town experiencing disaster. Facing racism, Tre begins to question his place in a neighbourhood which follows a corrupt system.
John Singleton is a newcomer towards stories of gangs facing adversity. A fantastic African American director, Singleton had never made a movie about gangs facing disaster. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture hardships endured by black men in an impoverished city, but he succeeded. Singleton effectively uses montages to capture tensions that black men in impoverished neighbourhoods are enduring. For instance, montages enhance the childhood scene. During this unforgettable scene, Tre is introduced to the gangs in his neighbourhood by his friends causing tension. Through strong montages, Singleton crafts a portrait of racism that audiences can easily relate to. Montages are tricky techniques to use in most movies. As Rob Reiner’s “A Few Good Men” demonstrated, montages enhance courtroom dramas. That being said, it works tremendously in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Singleton captures tensions that African American gangsters are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Boyz n the Hood” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Singleton successfully uses real-life neighbourhoods in America to capture the lives of black men experiencing a dilemma. For instance, the real-life locations elevate the gang warfare scene. During this memorable scene, Tre endures tension as he witnessed gang warfare in his neighbourhood causing destruction. Through real-life locales, Singleton captures the hardships that black men in poverty-stricken neighbourhoods go through. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Stanley Clarke’s commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the hardship that black men in poor neighbourhoods go through. Through strong production-design, Singleton captures lives of commemorated black men in neighbourhoods that decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Boyz n the Hood” is a movie about racism which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture tensions that African American men in neighbourhoods are enduring. Throughout the movie, Singleton uses dramatic monologues to capture hardships that black men in poverty-stricken neighbourhoods are often facing. For instance, dramatic monologues enhance the father conversation scene. During this tense scene, Tre has a tense conversation with his father Furious about life-threatening violence occurring in his neighbourhood. Using dramatic monologues, Singleton creates a portrait of racism which is compelling. Dramatic monologues are tricky to use in most films. As Cameron Crowe’s “Jerry Maguire” demonstrated, dramatic monologues enhance classic commemorated movies about sports agents. That being said, it works immensely in this film. Through an exceptional screenplay, Singleton captures the lives of black men experiencing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Cuba Gooding Jr. delivers one of his greatest performances as Tre. Gooding Jr. achieved appreciations for depicting football players in romantic comedies. With “Boyz n the Hood”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a black teenager growing up in a poverty-stricken neighbourhood but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: tense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. Through riveting expressions, he captures the angers, grief and resentments of an African-American man experiencing neighbourhood violence. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the best actors today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Cuba Gooding Jr., the supporting cast is also amazing and deserving of appreciation. Laurence Fishburne is fantastic, capturing the strict nature of a stern father seeking to assist his son with strong lessons to learn. Ice Cube is incredible, bringing charisma to a gangster engaging in a life of crime with a painful price. Lastly, Angela Bassett merits appreciation. As a concerned mother, she brings heartbreaking emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Boyz n the Hood” will earn recognition of everyone capturing a racist neighbourhood. Unlike most movies about racism, it discusses strong themes which everyone would relate to. It tackles powerful themes including identity, grief and trauma that would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be members of the African American community to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Boyz n the Hood” is one of those rare movies about racism everyone will adore.
Fans of Cuba Gooding Jr. will definitely enjoy “Boyz n the Hood” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting crime classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about racism that African-Americans experience in a broke neighbourhood, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has made captivating movies throughout his impressive career that has stood the test of time as a beloved icon in Hollywood.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 