Baby Boy | Rotten Tomatoes

Baby Boy

R

Released Jun 29, 2001

2h 9m

Drama

Romance

List

71%

Tomatometer

93 Reviews

87%

Audience Score

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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

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

Jan 29, 2010

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 4/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 3/4

Mar 19, 2002

Full Review

Armond White

National Review

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.

Jul 7, 2021

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

The film is a bold examination of an aspect of African American life. There's no shortage of sex, violence, or urban realism.

Rated: B

Jul 4, 2011

Full Review

Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 2/5

Aug 7, 2008

Full Review

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Edima A

This movie is the definition of a proper waste of your time ladies and gentlemen. There is no moral of the story basically they're just trying to say women should accept and really embrace the bare minimum in relationships. The level of toxic masculinity is absurd in this movie and tbh it's so sad because in reality this is what actually happens. Her love interest is so entitled, he's a proud serial cheat and a manipulator, and an assaulter while her ex is a rapist a felon and a thug it's crazy the movie is so useless it has no base. Like what's the lesson, what's the whole takeaway in the end. All you'd get from this movie is that ladies stay with your man even though he's toxic and entitled it's better than being with a rapist. Lol.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/31/23

Full Review

Andre G

Movie was pretty good. Just another movie with a bad ending.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/23

Full Review

Taylor P

It showed how important it is for a man to grow up and make responsible choices. It also put light on women who accept below the bare minimum and allow these men to give no effort.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/06/22

Full Review

georgan g

Much better than I thought it would be, with heart and a real growth in character for a lost young man.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

jordan m

The strongest emotion I felt watching this movie was flabbergasted once the movie reached the 90-minute mark with what felt entirely like exposition as there was a firm lack of crescendo or character arc for any of the characters really. The payoff at the end with Tyrese finally moving out was underplayed after watching him lament for two hours that his mom might kick him out. There were at least half a dozen preachy diatribes from nearly every character wanting to get ghetto-philosophical on him when really none of it was effective, their advice not really coming into play after the guy gets shot. That said, the acting was fantastic, as I had no idea that Ving had that kind of physique nor any idea that Tyrese had this wide of an acting range. Pre-fame Taraji was good to watch, and I wish Omar was more famous than he is after seeing him here. Ebert's notion that this provides a unique point of view into black culture definitely rings true.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/06/24

Full Review

Audience Member

It is a great look at the hood in the 2000s its a great cast

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

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John Singleton

Director

Tyrese Gibson

Joseph Summers

Omar Gooding

Sweetpea

Adrienne-Joi Johnson

Juanita

Taraji P. Henson

Yvette

Snoop Dogg

Rodney

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Baby Boy: Official Clip - Revenge in the Park

3:42

Baby Boy: Official Clip - Drive-by Shooting

2:21

Baby Boy: Official Clip - Living Room Fight

2:10

Baby Boy: Official Clip - Selling Dresses

2:04

Baby Boy: Official Clip - This Is Just Between Us

2:25

Baby Boy: Official Clip - I Love You, Baby

1:47

Baby Boy: Official Clip - Drive-Thru Drama

1:38

Baby Boy: Official Clip - Mother vs. Son

2:14

Baby Boy: Official Clip - Taking the Gun

1:57

Baby Boy: Official Clip - Taking Down Rodney

1:32

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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: New Deal Productions, Columbia Pictures
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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