The Wood – 1999 – Comedy, Drama, Coming of Age, Romance
Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa
Written by: Rick Famuyiwa
Main Players: Omar Eppes; Taye Diggs; Richard T. Jones; Sean Nelson; Duane Finley; Trent Cameron; Malinda Williams; Tamala Jones; De’aundre Bonds; Sanaa Lathan
The Wood is a solid coming of age comedy from the late 90s told creatively with both jokes and emotion. Groomsmen Mike (Epps) and Slim (Jones) are freaking out over the missing Groom Roland (Diggs). As they search for the man to be wed the next day, the men flash back to their time as kids.
Years ago, Mike (Nelson) moved across country from Winston-Salem, NC to Inglewood, CA in junior high, only to get schooled on the ways of Los Angeles schools and hoods by Slim (Finley) and Roland (Cameron). The kids learn, grow, and have bets on who is going to get most numbers from hotties at the dance. Mike is entranced by popular school pretty girl Alicia (Williams), but must deal with her older thug life brother Stacey (Bonds).
When not reminiscing in the past, the older versions of the characters deal with life choices such as settling down forever and moving on from the past.
The script, cast, music and direction are sound, and despite its aging setting it is still pretty good. It is both serious and silly at times, but I have always liked it ever since my friends and I rented it back in the day.
See This If You Liked:
ATL; Friday; Dope; Love & Basketball; Fresh; Poetic Justice; Soul Food; Do the Right Thing; Love Jones; Boyz n the Hood
Score:
7.0