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Baby Boy (2001)


Am I watching something real? That was really my question as I watched this movie. What do I mean by that? Simply, are there real people like these characters? When I watch Boyz in the Hood, for example, I could think, yes, this is more or less real. 

But is Baby Boy meant to be real, or is it meant to be simply, I don't know... some sort of fable, loosely speaking?

In his review, Roger Ebert really liked the film, calling it "bold social criticism." I can see that. I can also say that I thought the acting was great -- from Tyrese Gibson to Omar Gooding to Ving Rhames to Snoop Dogg. 

But then I find myself wondering about the practical stuff. I guess I shouldn't, but if the men don't have jobs and don't contribute to the bills, then how does Joseph's (Gibson) mom afford her house? We see that his baby mamas have jobs and some sort of family support system, but these neighborhoods are pretty nice looking. I just think about how expensive it is to live in Los Angeles. Any house there would carry a hefty mortgage, and it would take more than a job as a hairdresser or something like that to pay the bills. 

Joseph can't even afford a car, but he tricks out his girlfriend's car. Melvin (Rhames), of course, gives a good "guns and butter" economics lesson -- spend your money on stuff that appreciates in value. We don't actually see Joseph waste a lot of money, other than on the car. He also has a ridiculously nice bicycle -- reminded me of Pee Wee Herman, for some reason --, but in terms of hobbies and wasting money, he doesn't. 

Rhames stands out in this film. He turns out to be a good guy, and maybe Joseph does learn a thing or two from him.

We get a happy ending. Everything flashforwards at the end, and I guess we see the "positive alternative" play out. It's interesting because both Yvette (Taraji P. Henson) and Joseph have visions about how it could all turn out badly. Did they just get lucky? Or did Joseph finally grow up?

What does kind of bother me is just how simply the Rodney (Snoop Dogg) problem is solved. I would at least expect the police to come by and look at the bullet holes in Joseph's mom's house. Joseph would be a primary suspect, but apparently nothing ever comes of Rodney being shot down and left bleeding out on the sidewalk. I assume that was what really happened, but if it did really happen, it's glossed over fairly quickly. Melvin and Joseph are said to have had a talk, and Melvin disposes of the gun, and then everyone lives happily ever after??

Rating: 3/5 stars

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