Boyz n the Hood is a 1991 American, Coming of age, teen hood drama film written and directed by first-time film-maker, John Singleton who grew up in the “hood.” Singleton portrays the challenging upbringing of adolescents who have to live in harsh conditions around not only their own homes but also their neighbourhood.
To me, this film stuck me as the process of transitioning between childhood and adulthood in which we go through developing an identity and a personal philosophy. The main character and protagonist, Tre has to battle through two distinctly clashing societies, hood culture and mainstream culture and to make the right decisions regarding his future. As well as his constant struggle with trying to stay focused on achieving his education aspirations, whilst still trying to maintain friendships with other residents of the neighbourhood who do not have any intentions of getting out of the vicious cycle of violence and hood life.
25 years on, this film, without a doubt, still retains its explosively powerful and influential insight about growing up in black Urban America. Watched now, a quarter of a century on, what remains so striking is not the explicit, immediate gore or confrontational aggression but rather the film’s extensive emotional depth into humanity, idealism, reinforced by astoundingly raw performances.
In terms of editing, the film had an almost effortless feel as everything, such as the setting and lighting looked very organic and natural. The high-key lighting that was used, to minimise harsh shadows for the majority of the film, again adding to the realism of the film. This helps the audience identify with the characters.
By the end of “Boyz N the Hood,” I recognised that I had not simply seen a thoughtful look at a young man’s coming of age, but a film of enormous significance alluding to several themes still pervasive to current day.
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