“Boys N The Hood” (1991) – Watch This Disturbing Classic!
Thapson
The 1991 “Boyz N the Hood” – everyone needs to watch this disturbing classic! It’s a raw, in your face, portrayal of inner-city life in America. It’s an essential watch to understand the challenges faced by many African American youth. And it is not pleasant to watch. Directed by the late John Singleton, it tells the story of the coming of age of a trio of young African American men, in South Central LA, and their efforts to survive and succeed despite the odds.
Synopsis
Introduction
Young Tre Styles comes to live with his father, Jason “Furious” Styles. It is supposedly temporary as his mother pursues a career in law. Furious is mortgage broker and lives in a tougher part of the city. Tre gets to experience tough love from his father as he’s assigned all the major tasks around the house. In return, Jason promises to keep him fed, and provide all the essentials of life. A disciplinarian, he raises Tre under his strict guidance. Meanwhile Tre makes befriends with some neighborhood kids, including two cousins, Ricky and “Doughboy.” They, apparently half-brothers, are being raised by single mother.
We witness how tough things really are, as both his cousins are bundled away to juvenile detention for stealing. Fast forward seven years, Tre’s 17, and graduated from high school. This is where things really get challenging for him, Ricky, and Doughboy.
Adulthood
At a local barbecue, we see Tre and his cousins evolved as teenagers. His father, recognizing Tre’s age, wants him to experience his youth as best as he can. All while ensuring that Tre stays out of trouble. But Tre’s already facing the challenges of youth. He’s developing a romantic interest in a neighborhood girl, Brandi. His cousins, after having spent time in the “slammer” have only become tougher and have an aura of foreboding around them. They, along with the ‘hood resembles a minefield of issues for Tre.
He has no choice, but to cope with it the best he can. The ‘hood is also constantly under siege from the Police. Police hostility, and the potential of “black on black” violence just adds to the hot mess, and the tension slowly mounts.
Aspirations and Disasters
There are positives though. Ricky has aspirations towards professional football. His exploits in high school football are noticed. A shot at college football is possible, provided he pass his SAT with an acceptable score. He’s advised to pursue his studies so he can fall back on his education, if his NFL aspirations fail. To this end, he sits for the SAT. Tre meanwhile is still staying out of trouble. Unfortunately, Doughboy and his company are a potential for trouble.
And it’s not long before trouble does indeed find its way into their lives. On a night out, they bump into an armed group. There are some words exchanged, tough talk, and guns fired. This is followed by Tre’s brush with the law, which turns him seriously cynical.
The events of this night have long term ramifications that leads to a disaster for the trio.
The Final Showdown
After their brush with the rival gang, there’s tension in the air. Both parties are sizing each other up. Doughboy’s aggression doesn’t help matters either.
It all comes down to a final showdown between the two parties. Simultaneously, Ricky’s SAT scores come in, but is he able to take advantage of them? By now, Tre’s also having serious anger issues and throws all advice to the wind as he can’t take it any longer. How does he fare out, despite his father’s urgings? And what about Doughboy? You’d need to watch the movie to find out the shocking outcomes.
In any case, it is not the outcome, but the trajectory of the story that leaves one disappointed and shaking your head. And it’s especially poignant when you think this is happening all time in the ‘hood. A lesson for the unversed indeed.
Main Cast
Cuba Gooding Jr. as Tre Styles
Laurence Fishburne as Furious Styles
Ice Cube as Doughboy
Morris Chestnut as Ricky Baker
Angela Bassett as Reva Styles
My Take
It’s not so much the story of the characters in the story, but the portrayal of life in the ‘hood that’s central to the movie. The story portrays the difficulties young African Americans face growing up in the inner city. And it does it with a no-holds barred attitude, complete with extremely risqué language and scenes that makes it unsuitable for minors.
It highlights the various issues that one reads in the news, but likely hasn’t experience. This includes “black on black” violence, aggressive policing, and how the system has let the community down. Furious Styles, at times, comes off as a borderline preachy. Aside from highlighting the issues, he is also speaking to inner city youth. In so he also exemplifies what a father should do in such an environment.
A stellar job by the late director John Singleton, and the wonderful cast. The movie is definitely not suitable for minors.
Trivia
Some trivia and background information:
- Along with the direction, John Singleton also wrote the story
- The Chevy Impala driven in the movie, is Ice Cube’s personal vehicle
- Regi Green, who played Chris, is an actual paraplegic as a result of gun violence
- John Singleton wrote Tre’s character based on his real life
- Eddie Murphy and Will Smith were originally considered for the roles of Furious, and Tre Styles
- There was a sense of realism in the shooting scenes as the cast was not warned about the impending gunfire
- Rival gangs ran into each other in the theaters where this movie was running in the LA area
YouTube / Movie Clips Classic Trailers
Conclusion
The movie is a must watch for people to understand the issues facing inner city youth. Especially if you have a tendency to dismiss these as another sound bite. You will never look at these issues in the same light again. Granted it’s been over thirty years since it was released, and the issues have only gotten worse, it’s still relevant to youth today.
John Singleton’s Oscar nomination for this movie was well earned. Unfortunately, he didn’t go on to win it. But the impact his production carries is more powerful than any awards. I would definitely recommend this movie for its realistic portrayal. However, it has inappropriate language, and scenes. If that bothers you, then you would be advised to watch a censored version. Although I think that would take the edge off, and the intended impact would likely be lost. Your comments are welcome.
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