Of Boys and Men (2008)

Three weeks in the life of the middle class Cole family of Chicago is presented, this time seen largely through the eyes of middle child, pre-teen Z. The first day, which starts out like most days in their family with the exception of it being Z's older brother Terrell's college graduation, changes on a dime when their mother, Rieta, is killed as a semi-driver, running a red light, t-bones her vehicle. Outwardly, it is their father, Holden, a mechanic who owns his own small business, who is hit hardest emotionally, especially as he goes through the wrongful death suit against the trucking company if only to provide some security for the kids, even if it does keep Rieta's death foremost on his mind. Holden's younger sister, Janay, from Lansing, temporarily moves in with them to help logistically and emotionally. Despite Rieta's death, life goes on for the family as Terrell struggles in finding a job, he having believed the degree would automatically open up opportunities, and as Z prepares for the 3-on-3 annual basketball tournament at the community center, he teaming with his best friends, Deshon and Little D. The preparation this year, unlike previous years, includes how they are going to come up with the newly implemented $30 entrance fee, the awards at the end more appealing in having actual trophies, the MVP trophy which Z is determined to win. Z also comes down with his first case of puppy love as a new family moves in across the street. In she doing many of the things that Rieta would have done, Janay, as the surrogate parent, highlights the roles Rieta and Holden played in the kids' lives, Rieta the nurturer, while Holden purely saw himself as the breadwinner. With Janay eventually going home, Holden has to realize that he has to play both roles, something that Rieta had long pleaded with him to do when she was alive, or risk losing his children.