Boyz n the Hood (1991)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Tre Styles	Cuba Gooding Jr.
Reva Devereaux	Angela Bassett	½
Furious Styles	Laurence Fishburne
Doughboy	Ice Cube	½
Ricky Baker	Morris Chestnut
Brandi	Nia Long	-
Brenda Baker	Tyra Ferrell
Dooky	Dedrick D. Gobert	-
Tre age 10	Desi Arnez Hines II

Review

John Singleton's debut film is a bleak social criticism about the state of affairs in South Central Los Angeles and the lack of prospects for the youngsters growing up there in the midst of the era's booming gang culture. The script, written by Singleton himself, is obviously well-informed and feels like a story told from the inside, and with a clear message to boot. The film is meant to be a wake-up call for both the people in this hood and for the society that are abandoning them. And although the big tools Singleton uses give the film touches of melodrama, he also sheds light on some universal truths which will definitely ring true for most viewers, such as the importance of a male role model for young wayward boys. The film is at its best in the segments between a fine Laurence Fishburne and his son Tre (played respectively by Desi Arnez Hines II and Cuba Gooding Jr.). Singleton was nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards for his work. He continued his discussion with Higher Learning four years later.