Rating 15
Length 1h52
Release 25.10.1991
Director John Singleton
About Three childhood friends, Darrin, Tre and Ricky, who struggle to cope with the distractions and dangers of growing up in a Los Angeles ghetto.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Now TV
Trailer:
The Good
The acting in this film is incredible. All relatively unknown at the time of making, each and every one is worthy of the praise.
The realism presented in the film is heartbreakingly authentic. Not only of the time, but unfortunately today. While at the time, the film was seen as glorifying gang culture and the violence that goes alongside, I think the important commentary to take from this film is how society outside the ghettos responded. By which I mean the gentrification and the way in which the police, even those of colour, made the community low priority and regarded them all with contempt.
The Bad
I really struggled with the language. Particularly swearing and slurs used is such a casual and repetitive way. I have no problem with its use as it is authentic for the time and the community being presented. However, I had a physical reaction every time, specifically in the 1984 section, these young boys were swearing at each other.
It’s hard to watch knowing how it is going to end. That’s not a spoiler, or prejudicial, the opening quote gives you an idea how this story is going to play out. While less of a shock over who, this film is comparative to American History X for that fatal scene you don’t want to see, but cannot turn away from.
The Ugly
This film was vastly overlooked when it came to the Oscars, being nominated only for director and screenplay. I’m not going to even question why; it’s long been established that the Academy Awards are problematic on everything from gender, genre and race.
The biggest example of all three is Angela Bassett. She clearly demonstrates her talent in the minimal scenes she’s in, yet even to this date she’s not been able to claim a trophy of her own.
Officer Coffey is a presentation of the most horrific and heartbreaking side to humanity, made all the worse because people like him exist in real life. Watching Coffey’s distain and contempt for people of his own race is a complex injustice that turns my stomach.
Final Thoughts
Not something people should *want* to watch, but certainly something everyone *needs* to watch.
The Queens of Geekdom 