Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Hudhail Al-Amir | ... | S.A.T. Man |
Lloyd Avery II | ... | Knucklehead #2 | |
Angela Bassett | ... | Reva Styles | |
Miya McGhee | ... | Female Club Member (as Mia Bell) | |
Lexie Bigham | ... | Mad Dog | |
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Kenneth A. Brown | ... | Little Chris |
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Nicole Brown | ... | Brandi - Age 10 |
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Ceal | ... | Sheryl |
Morris Chestnut | ... | Ricky Baker | |
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Darneicea Corley | ... | Keisha |
John Cothran | ... | Lewis Crump (as John Cothran Jr.) | |
Ice Cube | ... | Doughboy / Darren | |
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Na'Blonka Durden | ... | Trina (as Na' Blonka Durden) |
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Susan Falcon | ... | Mrs. Olaf |
Jessie Lawrence Ferguson | ... | Officer Coffey (as Jesse Ferguson) |
Writer and Director John Singleton's portrayal of social problems in inner-city Los Angeles, California takes the form of a tale of three friends growing up together in the "hood". Half-brothers Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky Baker (Morris Chestnut) are foils for each other's personality, presenting very different approaches to the tough lives they face. Ricky is the "All-American" athlete, looking to win a football scholarship to USC and seeks salvation through sports, while Doughboy succumbs to the violence, alcohol, and crime surrounding him in his environment, but maintains a strong sense of pride and code of honor. Between these two is their friend Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), who is lucky to have a father, Furious Styles (Laurence Fishburne), to teach him to have the strength of character to do what is right and to always take responsibility for his actions. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
An exemplary directorial debut from John Singleton, who managed to create an American classic with his first effort.
As we follow Tre Styles from childhood toward becoming a young adult (as played effectively by Cuba Gooding, Jr.), and attempting to dodge, with the cautious guidance of his parents, the many dangers and risks associated with growing up in inner-city America, the sense of ever-present danger and, often, hopelessness associated with attempting to avoid falling into the cracks of society is abundantly clear.
In the role of Tre's troubled friend Dough Boy, Ice Cube is something of a revelation, and his balanced performance, alongside Singleton's excellent script, prevent him from becoming merely another gangster caricature. Lawrence Fishburne and Morris Chestnut add further depth to a strong cast.
All in all a very real, gritty depiction of the challenges faced at every turn by African American men and women in modern America. The building anger bristling beneath the surface in so many scenes is particularly resonant given the outburst of violence in the Rodney King Riots that took place in the very same city of the story just one year later.
The film spawned several 'urban gang flick' imitations in subsequent years, but most glorified violence and placed an emphasis on a loud soundtrack and sexual explicitness at the expense of strong plot-line, good character development and a serious social message.
All three are to be found in Boyz N the Hood.