Poetic Justice and Boyz n the Hood are two films written and directed by John Singleton in the early 90s. Poetic Justice features Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur, as well as many black actresses like Jada Pinkett, Lisa Bonet and Monica Calhoun. Boyz n the Hood stars Cuba Gooding Jr and Ice Cube, among many others. These films depict black lives in neighbourhoods like South Central LA and Oakland in the 80s and 90s. On the surface they’re different films with unique stories, but the central theme of Black Americans looking for hope, and searching for who they are/want to be persists in both.
I watched both films in November and December when I was watching a lot of movies on Tubi. My favourite thing about them is this sense of time and place. Not only is this about Black Americans in gang-heavy neighbourhoods in the 90s, but it’s through a 90s film-making lens that, although sincere, adds a stylish filter of both nonchalance and humour on top of even the most serious of topics. Poetic Justice reminds me of something like Reality Bites, though they’re incredibly different in some ways, the 90s tone is so similar that it’s easy to notice it.
Theme-wise, Boyz n the Hood centres the lives of people integrated into a gang-heavy atmosphere, where they feel stuck in the lives they’re born into. They watch their friends die, go to jail or become addicts and fear that because they don’t have better role models they might end up there too. The struggle to maintain integrity and loyalty to loved ones is expressed beautifully by Cuba Gooding Jr and Ice Cube in this film.
In contrast, Poetic Justice is about a woman who loses her lover to one of these gang murders. She writes poetry to grieve, and to express her feelings about life and death. Eventually it turns into a road film, with emphasis on Black American women’s lives and their choices. Probably the best thing about this movie is Tupac Shakur’s acting, especially that one scene where he cries. Perhaps I forgot that he acted in many films back then, but I have now gained a hunger and curiosity for everything he’s ever been in. Watch this space for a Tupac-a-thon. It must happen (please remind me to do it!)
Have you seen many of John Singleton’s films? Do you have one you like best? Let me know!
If you liked my writing, you can tip me over at Ko-fi. And if you’d like to read more, check out the categories on the side, menu at the top or click here for more writing on film.
