One of Singleton's best works, Baby Boy is surprising in that...it's a comedy! While the film is a coming-of-age story, the situations Jody finds himself in are easily(and unexpectedly) remedied. While some subject matter is indeed of a serious nature, the ultimate work is a comedy wrapped in dramatic fashion. The characters, while apparently ignorant, are actually multidimensional and make the movie worth watching. Singleton plays with urban stereotypes, and delivers a nice piece on maturity and responsibility. As its name implies, it is the antithesis of Boyz N The Hood, and as a stand-alone effort, is just another story about growing up in L.A. Please do not misread me. The movie is not a laugh-fest, and it was not designed to be. However, it crosses that subtle gray line in the manner of other movies, notably Wild At Heart and The Long Goodbye. On paper and print, they are dramatic. But when you take a second look, you appreciate the comedy of errors, played out for all its glory. Baby Boy is like an urban Wizard of Oz; the characters grow, and people get what they deserve in the end. I made the mistake of overlooking the film myself, and I am glad I finally saw it.
Review of Baby Boy
