The Inkwell (1994)

In 1976, Drew Tate is a young teenager who has trouble dealing with life after he accidentally sets his house on fire. His parents Kenny and Brenda decide to go to Martha's Vineyard to ... See full summary »

Director:

Matty Rich

Writers:

Trey Ellis, Paris Qualles

Stars:

Larenz Tate, Joe Morton, Suzzanne Douglas

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Larenz Tate	...	Drew Tate
Joe Morton	...	Kenny Tate
Suzzanne Douglas	...	Brenda Tate
Glynn Turman	...	Spencer Phillips
Vanessa Bell Calloway	...	Francis Phillips
A.J. Johnson	...	Heather Lee (as Adrienne-Joi Johnson)
Morris Chestnut	...	Harold Lee
Jada Pinkett Smith	...	Lauren Kelly (as Jada Pinkett)
Duane Martin	...	Jr. Phillips
Mary Alice	...	Evelyn
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney	...	Dr. Wade
Markus Redmond	...	Darryl
Perry Moore	...	Moe
Akia Victor	...	Charlene
Aaron Griffin	...	Boy w / Lauren

Storyline

In 1976, Drew Tate is a young teenager who has trouble dealing with life after he accidentally sets his house on fire. His parents Kenny and Brenda decide to go to Martha's Vineyard to spend Fourth of July weekend with Brenda's sister Francis, Francis' black Republican husband Spencer and their son Junior. While there Drew falls for a self centered girl named Lauren and befriends a married lady named Heather. While on their vacation, Drew deals with his parents attempts to save their marriage as well as with his own troubles. Eventually all of this leads to a life changing event for Drew as well as his parents.

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Plot Keywords:

vacation | marriage | teenager | martha's vineyard | fire | 

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Taglines:

Summer's Never Been So Much Fun!

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Genres:

Romance | Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Drew's Inkwell

Filming Locations:

Kure Beach, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$8,880,705 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer Trey Ellis hated the finished version of the film and had his name replaced the fictitious Tom Ricostronza. "Ricostronza" is Italian for "rich bitch".

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Bad Girls/The Inkwell/Naked in New York/Brainscan/Surviving the Game (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Conflict"
Written and Performed by Richard Hill
Courtesy of Associated Production Music

User Reviews

A Great Coming of Age Film

This is one of the great coming of age films that I have ever seen. The character of Drew is so well drawn out and complex you forget that he is just a teenager. You also view the complex relationship between not only cultures but within the family as well. You are pretty much leaving this film wanting more. If one film really cries out for a sequel it's this one.

MATTY, I'M BEGGING YOU, MAKE INKWELL 2 AND SHOW US WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE CHARACTERS YEARS LATER!!!