#1307c: SINGLETON, John: Baby Boy (2001)

SINGLETON, John (United States)

Baby Boy [2001]

Spine #1307c

Blu-ray

In this funny and fearlessly honest character study, John Singleton illuminates the pressures that Black men face as they make their way through early adulthood. Jody (Tyrese Gibson, in his feature-film debut) is a young native of South Central Los Angeles struggling to find direction in his life. At the same time, he tries to reconcile his volatile relationships with his loving but conflicted girlfriend (a revelatory Taraji P. Henson), who bears much of the burden of raising their son, and his strong-willed mother (AJ Johnson), whose imposing ex-con beau (Ving Rhames) is a thorn in Jody’s side. Confronting complicated questions about sex, violence, and parent-child dynamics, the final installment in Singleton’s Hood Trilogy showcases the deep humanism of a celebrated filmmaker working at the height of his powers.

130 minutes
5.1 Surround

Color

1:85:1

Criterion Release 2026

Director/Writer

John Singleton was 33 when he directed Baby Boy.

Other Singleton films in the Collection:

#1307a: Boyz n the Hood (1991)

#1307b: Poetic Justice (2001)

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Commentary

Video tribute

Documentary 1

Documentary 2

Documentary 3

Controversial altered ending

Theatrical trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

99

By Director

By Spine #