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The Wood
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| The Wood | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Rick Famuyiwa |
| Written by | Rick Famuyiwa Todd Boyd |
| Produced by | Albert Berger David Gale Douglas Curtis Momita Sengupta Ron Yerxa Todd Boyd Van Toffler |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Steven Bernstein |
| Edited by | John Carter |
| Music by | Robert Hurst |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 106 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $6 million[1] |
| Box office | $25 million[1] |
The Wood is a 1999 American coming-of-age comedy drama film directed by Rick Famuyiwa in his feature directional debut and starring Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones and Taye Diggs. It was written by Famuyiwa and Todd Boyd.
Plot
[edit]Roland is getting married and is currently missing. Slim, who scoffs at the idea of marriage, is furious at Roland for disappearing. The story flashes back to Mike as a youth when he first encounters Roland and Slim, his first real crush on a girl named Alicia, and the three young men's misadventures as teenagers growing up in 1980s Inglewood, California (aka "the Wood").
Shy and awkward, Mike is quickly befriended by Slim and Roland. On a dare from Slim and Roland, Mike reluctantly grabs Alicia's butt, leading to a physical altercation with her older brother and Blood gang member, Stacey. While he is beaten up, Mike earns Stacey's private respect for having courage to fight back.
Meanwhile, in present day, Mike and Slim get a call from Tanya, Roland's ex, saying that Roland is at her house, extremely drunk. When they arrive, they argue with Roland for putting his relationship at risk, as the wedding is just hours away.
Flashing back to the 1980s, the boys are on their way to the first dance of the year, stopping at a convenience store that gets robbed by Stacey. Stacey recognizes the boys and offers them a ride to the dance. The group is nearly arrested after being pulled over for a broken tail light. Mike's quick thinking prevents one of the cops from finding Stacey's gun. They let them go when the cops respond to a call about the stick-up Stacey pulled earlier from him and his friend.
Impressed, Stacey begins a new friendship with Mike by apologizing for their prior run-in. However, he explains that he was protecting his sister and seeing how much Mike likes her, gives him advice on how to win her over. When they arrive at the dance, it is almost over, and Mike is able to secure a dance with Alicia and also get her number. Later, Mike and Alicia date for a time before breaking up and remaining friends.
In the present day, while reminiscing, Roland becomes sick and accidentally vomits on Slim and Mike. Now, the men only have an hour left before the wedding and they have to get cleaned up, so they take their clothes to the cleaners.
Mike, returning to their memories when they were juniors in high school, remembers them thinking about sex, ways to get it and making a lot of bets as to who has it first. Mike has a girlfriend and Alicia has a boyfriend. Despite both of them already being in a relationship with somebody else, one day Mike and Alicia walk to her house from the library talking about the homecoming dance.
They listen to "If This World Were Mine" on the radio, the song to which they had the first dance. Alicia and Mike begin getting intimate, but Alicia stops him and tells Mike to retrieve a condom from Stacey's room. Mike finds a condom in Stacey's room. Before leaving, he has to hide under his bed, so as not to get caught when Stacey and his girlfriend come home. After they leave, Mike goes back to Alicia's room and they have sex. Mike wins the bet, but he doesn't tell Roland and Slim out of respect for Alicia.
It is revealed in the present that after high school, Alicia and Mike went their separate ways with Alicia going to attend Columbia University in New York while Mike decided to stay home and attend The University of Southern California even though Roland reveals that Mike could have followed her as he did get accepted into New York University. The boys finally make it to the wedding and Roland apologizes to a furious Lisa for leaving her worried. Before the ceremony begins, Mike has a fond exchange with a now-grown Alicia while Roland and Lisa get married. Mike reminisces on the homecoming dance, declaring that he, Roland and Slim will be the boys from "the Wood".
Cast
[edit]- Omar Epps as Michael "Mike" Tarver, who narrates how he and his friends grew up together in "The Wood".
- Sean Nelson as young Mike, a newcomer from North Carolina who just moved to Inglewood at a new school. He became friends with Roland and Slim.
- Richard T. Jones as Laveinio "Slim" Hightower, he and Mike help Roland get back to the ceremony to get married.
- Duane Finley as young Slim, raised up in "The Wood", best friends with Roland growing up and then meeting Mike. He was always asking for Roland to hook him up.
- Taye Diggs as Roland Blackmon, the groom who has second thoughts about getting married and is found drunk by his two best friends.
- Trent Cameron as young Roland, a self-proclaimed ladies man who gets no play most of the time.
- Sanaa Lathan as Alicia, an old childhood friend that grew up and came back to see Mike.
- Malinda Williams as young Alicia
- LisaRaye McCoy as Lisa, a bride getting ready to marry Roland, and gets upset about his disappearance.
- De'Aundre Bonds as Stacey, Alicia's big brother that takes up for her when she is younger. He's also a "Bloods" gang member. Stacey reappears in the film Dope.
- Antwon Tanner as "Boo", Stacey's friend and member of the "Bloods".
- Tamala Jones as Tanya, Roland's ex-girlfriend
- Jascha Washington as Mike's younger brother
Reception
[edit]The film holds a 61% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 56 reviews, with the critical consensus: "A charming piece of work with believable characters."[2] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 52 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[3]
Reviewing for the Chicago Sun-Times in July 1999, Roger Ebert called it "a sweet, lighthearted comedy" and applauded Famuyiwa for capturing members of the cinematically marginalized African-American middle class. "The movie feels a little uncertain, as if it's moving from present to past under the demands of a screenplay rather than because it really feels that way", Ebert wrote in conclusion. "But the growing-up stuff is kind of wonderful."[4]
Awards and nominations
[edit]- Best Actor (Theatrical)—Sean Nelson (nominated)
- Best Actress (Theatrical)—Malinda Williams (nominated)
- Best Director (Theatrical)—Rick Famuyiwa (nominated)
- Best Screenplay (Original or Adapted)—Rick Famuyiwa, Todd Boyd (nominated)
- Outstanding Motion Picture (nominated)
2001 ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
- Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures—Joe, Jolyon Skinner: "I Wanna Know" (winner)
Soundtrack
[edit]A soundtrack was released on July 13, 1999, by Jive Records featuring rap and R&B music. The soundtrack found great success, peaking at number 16 on the Billboard 200 and 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on August 25, 1999.
Television series
[edit]In August 2021, Showtime gave a pilot order to a television series adaptation of the film. The project was set to be produced by Paramount Television Studios, with Justin Hillian writing and Famuyiwa directing the pilot.[7] In April 2023, Showtime announced the network would not be moving forward with the series.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "The Wood". Box Office Mojo.
- ^ "The Wood". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ "The Wood". Metacritic. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (July 16, 1999). "The Wood movie review (1999)". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 29, 2020 – via rogerebert.com.
- ^ "The Wood (1999) Awards & Festivals". Mubi.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ "The 31st NAACP Image Awards Nominees List". Blackfilm.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 24, 2021). "Showtime Orders 'The Wood' Comedy Pilot Based On Movie From Justin Hillian & Rick Famuyiwa". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ "'Heist 88' Moves To Showtime As Network Picks Up 'Seasoned' To Series, Passes On 'The Wood' & Cancels 'Ziwe' After 2 Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. April 5, 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
External links
[edit]
- The Wood at IMDb
- The Wood at Rotten Tomatoes
The Wood
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Production
Development
The Wood marked Rick Famuyiwa's feature directorial debut, serving as a semi-autobiographical reflection on his experiences growing up in Inglewood, California, during the 1980s as the son of Nigerian immigrants.[6][7] The screenplay, written by Famuyiwa from a story he co-developed with Todd Boyd—a USC film professor and cultural critic who served as associate producer—drew directly from their personal anecdotes about friendship, rites of passage, and coming-of-age in middle-class African American communities.[8][5] Development began when MTV Films acquired Famuyiwa's spec script in November 1997 for a low six figures against a mid-six figures purchase price, following his participation in the Sundance Institute's screenwriters and directors labs earlier that year.[6] The project quickly advanced under MTV's first-look deal with Paramount Pictures, which handled distribution, with producers Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa of Bona Fide Productions, and MTV president David Gale attaching early to oversee initial budget planning estimated in the low millions for a modest independent-scale production.[6] Key creative decisions emphasized authentic representation of Black youth culture, portraying everyday joys and challenges of middle-class life in Inglewood without resorting to drug-related or violent stereotypes prevalent in contemporary urban films.[9][10] Famuyiwa structured the narrative around flashbacks triggered by the protagonists' present-day wedding-day reminiscences, enabling a layered exploration of nostalgia and personal growth rooted in real-life memories.[4][5]Filming
Principal photography for The Wood commenced on June 20, 1998, and wrapped on August 10, 1998, spanning approximately 52 days. The production was filmed primarily in Inglewood and South Central Los Angeles, California, to authentically depict the middle-class Black community's urban environment central to the story.[11][12] Cinematographer Steven Bernstein captured the film on 35mm stock, employing techniques to evoke a nostalgic aesthetic for the 1980s flashback sequences that form a core part of the narrative structure. The shoot operated within a modest $6 million budget, presenting logistical challenges such as coordinating the schedules of the younger actors—Sean Nelson, Trent Cameron, and Duane Finley—who portrayed the protagonists in their high school years.[13][14]Narrative and Cast
Plot
The film opens on the wedding day of Roland in present-day Inglewood, California, where his best friends Mike and Slim discover that he has gone missing, having fled to the house of his ex-girlfriend Tanya in a panic over his impending marriage to Lisa.[4] After retrieving the hungover Roland and returning to the groom's preparation room at the church, the trio realizes that Roland's wedding ring has been lost during the escapade, prompting an urgent search through the venue while the ceremony looms.[15] As they hunt for the ring, the friends begin reminiscing about their shared youth in the 1980s, flashing back to their formative experiences in Inglewood that solidified their bond.[3] The flashbacks begin with Mike, a newcomer to Inglewood at age 14, meeting the mischievous Slim and the more reserved Roland at school, where the three quickly form a pact of lifelong friendship after bonding over playground antics and a shared defiance of local bullies who target them for their closeness.[4] Mike soon develops his first crush on the confident Alicia, a classmate whose brother confronts Mike in a tense playground altercation, testing his resolve but ultimately leading to a budding romance marked by awkward courtship rituals like betting on school events to spend time with her.[15] Meanwhile, Slim faces his own adolescent humiliations, including a stint in detention for a prank gone wrong, which highlights the trio's supportive dynamic as they navigate the pressures of growing up in a changing Inglewood neighborhood amid economic shifts and community tensions.[4] A pivotal sequence unfolds during their high school prom night, when the friends, dressed in ill-fitting tuxedos, encounter a notorious bully who has robbed a convenience store and forces them to drive him away; in the ensuing tense pursuit, they navigate the danger and reaffirm their commitment to one another.[15] These youthful adventures underscore themes of unwavering loyalty, the innocence and heartbreak of first love, and personal growth, as the boys evolve from impulsive teens dealing with crushes, rivalries, and minor rebellions into young men shaped by their Inglewood roots.[4] Returning to the present, the search culminates in the discovery of the ring tucked away in an unexpected spot, symbolizing the enduring strength of their friendship that has weathered time and trials.[3] Relieved and reflective, Roland overcomes his doubts, and the group proceeds to the wedding, where he exchanges vows with Lisa; at the ceremony, Mike also reunites with the adult version of his high school sweetheart Alicia, closing the circle on their shared history.[15]Cast
The principal cast of The Wood features Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones, and Taye Diggs in the lead roles as lifelong friends reuniting for a wedding, with younger versions of their characters portrayed by Sean Nelson, Duane Finley, and Trent Cameron to depict their high school experiences in 1980s Inglewood, California.[16][17] Omar Epps stars as Michael "Mike" Tarver, the protagonist and narrator, a successful music executive who reflects on his youth while helping organize his friend Roland's wedding.*[17][18] Richard T. Jones portrays Laveinio "Slim" Hightower, the group's humorous and street-smart member who provides levity amid the wedding chaos; the role is split between Jones as the adult Slim and Duane Finley as his teenage counterpart.*[16][19] Taye Diggs plays Roland Blackmon, the anxious groom-to-be whose last-minute disappearance prompts the reminiscences, with Trent Cameron as young Roland.*[17][16] In supporting roles, Sanaa Lathan appears as Alicia, Mike's high school sweetheart, portrayed in her youth by Malinda Williams; LisaRaye McCoy as Lisa, Roland's fiancée.*[16][17] The production emphasized emerging Black talent, particularly in casting the teen actors to authentically capture 1980s portrayals of Black youth in Inglewood, informed by director Rick Famuyiwa's semi-autobiographical perspective on his own upbringing.*[20]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album for The Wood, titled Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture The Wood, was released on July 13, 1999, by Jive Records.[21] It features a collection of 18 R&B and hip-hop tracks curated to complement the film's nostalgic portrayal of Black youth culture in Inglewood, California, drawing from 1980s and 1990s influences without serving as the film's original score.[21] The album's songs emphasize themes of friendship, romance, and coming-of-age experiences, aligning with the movie's narrative to promote its cultural resonance among audiences.[22] Key tracks include the lead single "I Wanna Know" by Joe, which peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming one of the singer's biggest hits and a staple of late-1990s R&B.[23][24] Other notable contributions are "Think About You" by Blackstreet, a smooth R&B ballad reflecting romantic introspection; "Tell Me" by Dru Hill, showcasing harmonious group vocals on love and vulnerability; and "The Wood" by Mýa, a title-track inspired piece that captures the essence of neighborhood camaraderie with its upbeat hip-hop rhythm.[22] The full track listing is as follows:| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Neck Uv Da Woods" (feat. OutKast) | Mystikal | 4:35 |
| 2 | "Think About You" | Blackstreet | 4:27 |
| 3 | "Ya' All Know Who!" | The Roots | 4:05 |
| 4 | "I Can, I Can" | DMX | 3:59 |
| 5 | "Tha Hood (It's All Good)" | Too Short | 3:52 |
| 6 | "Belts to Match" (feat. Smitty & Sonji) | UGK | 4:03 |
| 7 | "It's All Good" | R. Kelly | 3:33 |
| 8 | "I Wanna Know" | Joe | 4:58 |
| 9 | "Crave" | Marc Dorsey | 4:20 |
| 10 | "The Wood" | Mýa | 4:53 |
| 11 | "Tell Me" | Dru Hill | 4:35 |
| 12 | "Movin' On" (feat. Lost Boyz) | Total | 3:48 |
| 13 | "If This World Were Mine" | Luther Vandross & Cheryl Lynn | 4:52 |
| 14 | "You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration" | Teddy Pendergrass | 4:16 |
| 15 | "Back in the Day (Remix)" | Ahmad | 4:34 |
| 16 | "Juicy Fruit" | Mtume | 5:48 |
| 17 | "Make It Last Forever" (with Jacci McGhee) | Keith Sweat | 7:34 |
| 18 | "Casanova" | LeVert | 5:12 |
Original Score
The original score for the 1999 film The Wood was composed by Robert Hurst, an acclaimed jazz bassist known for his work in both jazz ensembles and film scoring.[26][27] Hurst, who has collaborated with artists like Branford Marsalis and contributed to over 30 major motion pictures, crafted a minimalist jazz trio arrangement that serves as a subtle atmospheric layer throughout the movie.[28] This approach aligns with the film's coming-of-age narrative set in Inglewood, California, evoking a sense of understated soulfulness reflective of the characters' experiences.[5] Hurst's score emphasizes restraint, often described as "aural wallpaper" due to its low mixing levels, ensuring it enhances emotional transitions and nostalgic flashbacks without dominating the dialogue or performances.[5] Key instrumental elements include smooth bass lines and light percussion that underscore scenes of friendship and reflection, blending traditional jazz phrasing with subtle rhythmic pulses to mirror the story's blend of humor and introspection. Recorded in post-production following principal photography, the score was integrated during editing to heighten key moments, such as tender romantic recollections, while maintaining an overall light footprint.[17] A distinctive feature of Hurst's contribution is its fusion of jazz roots with contemporary undertones suited to the film's 1980s backdrop and urban setting, providing cohesive sonic texture that supports the narrative's themes of youth and community.[5] This original music works in tandem with the period-inspired licensed tracks, creating a balanced auditory experience that reinforces the movie's nostalgic essence.Release
Theatrical Release
The Wood premiered on July 14, 1999, at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles, California, with attendance from key cast members including Omar Epps, Taye Diggs, and Richard T. Jones, as well as crew, underscoring the film's focus on urban Black experiences.[29] Paramount Pictures handled domestic distribution, releasing the film theatrically across the United States on July 16, 1999, in a wide rollout on 1,191 screens.[14] The Motion Picture Association of America rated it R for strong language and some strong sexuality.[14] Marketing campaigns highlighted the film's comedic elements of male friendship and coming-of-age humor through promotional trailers, while leveraging the co-production with MTV Films for targeted outreach via MTV programming to young Black audiences.[5] These efforts positioned the movie toward urban minority viewers, particularly African Americans, reflecting its narrative roots in middle-class Black life in Inglewood.[5] Internationally, Paramount managed releases in select markets, including the United Kingdom on January 28, 2000.[30]Box Office Performance
The Wood was produced on a budget of $6 million.[31] The film opened in the United States on July 16, 1999, earning $8.5 million during its debut weekend from 1,191 theaters and ranking sixth at the North American box office.[32] Over its entire theatrical run, The Wood grossed $25.1 million domestically, accounting for its entire worldwide total as no significant international earnings were reported.[31] This performance represented a strong return on investment for distributor Paramount Pictures, with the film's earnings exceeding its budget by more than four times.[14] As an African American coming-of-age story, The Wood demonstrated particular appeal to Black audiences, benefiting from positive word-of-mouth that supported its longevity during the summer 1999 season.[33] The picture experienced a modest 42% decline in its second weekend, grossing approximately $5 million and maintaining momentum for a total run of about five weeks in wide release.[34]Reception
Critical Response
The Wood received mixed reviews from critics, with a 61% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 56 reviews and an average score of 6.1/10.[3] The site's consensus describes it as "a charming piece of work with believable characters," highlighting its heartfelt coming-of-age story focused on friendship and personal growth.[3] On Metacritic, the film holds a score of 52 out of 100 from 21 critics, reflecting generally mixed or average reception.[35] Roger Ebert awarded the film 3 out of 4 stars, praising its "sweet, lighthearted" tone and authentic depiction of adolescent life among middle-class Black teens in 1980s Inglewood, California, without resorting to violence or stereotypes.[4] He lauded the film's emphasis on male bonding and relatable humor drawn from everyday experiences. Other reviewers echoed this appreciation for cultural representation, noting how it portrayed Black male friendship in a positive, non-violent light that resonated with audiences.[36] While some critics found the plot predictable and the narrative structure uneven, they still commended its uplifting take on themes of loyalty and maturity, marking it as a refreshing entry in coming-of-age cinema.[37] The humor's relatability, particularly in scenes of youthful mishaps and camaraderie, was frequently cited as a highlight amid these reservations.[4]Awards and Nominations
The Wood garnered recognition primarily within awards celebrating Black cinematic achievements, though it did not receive nominations from major industry bodies such as the Academy Awards or Golden Globe Awards.[38] At the 2000 Black Reel Awards, the film earned multiple nominations, including for Theatrical - Best Director (Rick Famuyiwa), Theatrical - Best Screenplay (Rick Famuyiwa and Todd Boyd), Theatrical - Best Actor (Sean Nelson), and Theatrical - Best Actress (Malinda Williams).[38] None of these resulted in wins, with The Hurricane taking top honors in several categories.[39] The film was nominated for Outstanding Motion Picture at the 2000 NAACP Image Awards, highlighting its contributions to positive portrayals in film.[40][38] This accolade underscored the film's resonance within the African American community, though it did not secure a win; The Best Man was among the other nominees in the category. In the music domain, the soundtrack achieved success at the 2001 ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards, where Joe won for Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures for "I Wanna Know," a key track featured prominently in the film.[38][41] This marked the film's sole win among its nominations.[42]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Black Reel Awards | Theatrical - Best Director | Rick Famuyiwa | Nominated |
| 2000 | Black Reel Awards | Theatrical - Best Screenplay | Rick Famuyiwa, Todd Boyd | Nominated |
| 2000 | Black Reel Awards | Theatrical - Best Actor | Sean Nelson | Nominated |
| 2000 | Black Reel Awards | Theatrical - Best Actress | Malinda Williams | Nominated |
| 2000 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Motion Picture | The Wood | Nominated |
| 2001 | ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards | Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures | Joe ("I Wanna Know") | Won |