The film builds toward a devastating final act that contrasts the NFL dreams of one friend with the gang realities of another. It earned John Singleton a historic Oscar nomination for Best Director—the first Black filmmaker and youngest person ever to receive that honor.
In 1991, John Singleton became the youngest person (and first African American) to earn a Best Director Oscar nomination. The film tells the story of Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr.), his friends Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky (Morris Chestnut), growing up surrounded by gang violence, gentrification, and systemic failure.