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Baby Boy

Play trailer Poster for Baby Boy R,  2001,  2h 9m,  Drama/ Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 70% 88 Reviews Tomatometer 87% 50,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 88 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
The story of Jody (Tyrese Gibson), a misguided, 20-year-old African-American who is really just a baby boy finally forced-kicking and screaming to face the commitments of real life. Streetwise and jobless, he has not only fathered two children by two different women-Yvette (Taraji P. Henson) and Peanut (Tamara LaSeon Bass) but still lives with his own mother. He can't seem to strike a balance or find direction in his chaotic life.
Baby Boy

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Preachy and repetitive in parts, Baby Boy still manages to exude authenticity, thanks to its competent cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Jan 29, 2010
The characters are so full-bodied and the feelings so raw and complex that I'd call this the best thing John Singleton has done to date Go to Full Review
Jane Crowther BBC.com Nov 12, 2001
3/5
Johnson and Rhames are superb as Jody's charming, hard-working mother and her ex-con boyfriend Melvin. Go to Full Review
Adam Nayman eye WEEKLY Aug 2, 2001
2/5
It's an intermittently powerful but deeply flawed film. Go to Full Review
Barbara Shulgasser Common Sense Media Aug 26, 2024
The movie may have a lot of truth, but it isn't much fun to watch for exactly that reason. Go to Full Review
Armond White National Review Jul 7, 2021
Singleton never asked for tears or trendy social reform but insisted on the honesty that politicians and the media shunt aside in favor of platitudes. Baby Boy remarkably withholds platitudes. Go to Full Review
Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Jul 4, 2011
B
The film is a bold examination of an aspect of African American life. There's no shortage of sex, violence, or urban realism. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Han L Sep 23, 2017 i relly want to see this movie i love this movie it makes me laught
Leia S Jan 27, 2017 Tyrese and Vince Rhames star in a film written, produced and directed by John Singleton, Baby Boy. Singleton presents the idea of many young black men are still babies in the fact they won't leave the nest, remain attached to their mothers among a few things. Tyrese is Jody and he has many of these characteristics. He lives at home, and cheats on his girlfriend Yyvette (Taraji P. Henson) that he has a kid with. He does not have much of a job, and spends most of his days drifting. Things are about to change when mother starts dating Melvin (Ving Rhames). Melvin is a man that has gone through it all. Jody is threatened by this and is also afraid that he is going to be kicked out of the house. The two are at constant odds, and his mother tries to keep the peace between the two. His girlfriend gets tired of him cheating on him, but Jody seems to not realize what he has despite some of his best efforts. When a former lover of Yvette comes out of prison (Snoop Dogg) the film escalates and it becomes time to grow up. As a viewer, you feel for Jody and do hope that he begins to group up and make light of his circumstances, but realize it's hard for him to be motivated with the circumstances of his surroundings. Baby Boy features decent characters that keep the movie going. The film's plot seems a bit sparse and is sometimes boring. The performances of Taraji Henson, Rhames and Jody's mother A.J. Johnson are quite good and steal every moment they have on screen. Tyrese does a good enough job for as an actor coming from a music background. Singleton's film is not as powerful or memorable as Boyz N the Hood, but is a solid follow-up, and has some underrated performances. It is by no means a must-see film, but those who enjoy Singleton's films should enjoy this one as well. -1.27.2017 See more
Abraham R Jan 2, 2017 This movie is very good. A lot of the shots are from different angles. The movie also entails points of views from each character. It involves the background of a young African American man named Jody who has not grown up to be a man yet, as his mother so desperately wants him to do. Jody, having two children by two different women, struggles to mature and notice everyone around him wants him to become a man. See more
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Baby Boy

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Baby Boy

Baby Boy: Official Clip - Revenge in the Park Baby Boy: Official Clip - Revenge in the Park 3:42 Now Playing Baby Boy: Official Clip - Drive-by Shooting Baby Boy: Official Clip - Drive-by Shooting 2:21 Now Playing Baby Boy: Official Clip - Living Room Fight Baby Boy: Official Clip - Living Room Fight 2:10 Now Playing Baby Boy: Official Clip - Selling Dresses Baby Boy: Official Clip - Selling Dresses 2:04 Now Playing Baby Boy: Official Clip - This Is Just Between Us Baby Boy: Official Clip - This Is Just Between Us 2:25 Now Playing Baby Boy: Official Clip - I Love You, Baby Baby Boy: Official Clip - I Love You, Baby 1:47 Now Playing Baby Boy: Official Clip - Drive-Thru Drama Baby Boy: Official Clip - Drive-Thru Drama 1:38 Now Playing Baby Boy: Official Clip - Mother vs. Son Baby Boy: Official Clip - Mother vs. Son 2:14 Now Playing Baby Boy: Official Clip - Taking the Gun Baby Boy: Official Clip - Taking the Gun 1:57 Now Playing Baby Boy: Official Clip - Taking Down Rodney Baby Boy: Official Clip - Taking Down Rodney 1:32 Now Playing View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis The story of Jody (Tyrese Gibson), a misguided, 20-year-old African-American who is really just a baby boy finally forced-kicking and screaming to face the commitments of real life. Streetwise and jobless, he has not only fathered two children by two different women-Yvette (Taraji P. Henson) and Peanut (Tamara LaSeon Bass) but still lives with his own mother. He can't seem to strike a balance or find direction in his chaotic life.
Director
John Singleton
Producer
John Singleton
Screenwriter
John Singleton
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures, New Deal Productions
Rating
R (Some Drug Use|Language|Strong Sexuality|Violence)
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 29, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$28.7M
Runtime
2h 9m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, SDDS, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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