The Wood (1999)

While dealing with a friend's cold feet on his wedding day, a writer reminisces about his youth with his best friends.

Director:

Rick Famuyiwa

Writers:

Rick Famuyiwa (story), Todd Boyd (story),

Stars:

Elayn J. Taylor, Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elayn J. Taylor	...	Roland's Mother (as Elayn Taylor)
Omar Epps	...	Mike
Richard T. Jones	...	Slim
Sean Nelson	...	Young Mike
Duane Finley	...	Young Slim
Trent Cameron	...	Young Roland
Malinda Williams	...	Young Alicia
Patricia Belcher	...	Mrs. Hughes
Taye Diggs	...	Roland
Tamala Jones	...	Tanya
De'aundre Bonds	...	Stacey (as De'Aundre Bonds)
Cynthia Martells	...	Mike's Mother
Wyking Jones	...	Cashiers in Mini Mart
Geoffrey Blackshire	...	Cashiers in Mini Mart
Jascha Washington	...	Mike's Brother

Storyline

On the wedding day of a writer's friend, things aren't looking good when the groom goes missing before the ceremony. During his and his other male friend's effort to retrieve him, that writer named Mike can't help but tell the story of his youth with his friends. Ever since he met them on his first day at a new school, they shared the common experiences of growing up and life's discoveries.

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Plot Keywords:

wedding | friendship | flashback | fisticuffs | coming of age | 

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Taglines:

From boyhood to manhood, you can always count on your best friends.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and some strong sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Paramount Pictures

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amigos por siempre

Filming Locations:

Inglewood, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$8,515,223 (USA) (16 July 1999)

Gross:

$25,047,631 (USA) (15 October 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bona Fide Productions, MTV Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In a recent visit to USC, his alma mater, Rick Famuyiwa revealed that Paramount executives wanted the character of Mike to pinch Alicia's buttocks in the end scene for added laughs. Needless to say, Famuyiwa balked at this and never shot this. The opening Steadicam shot took almost an entire day to shoot.

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Goofs

At Tanya's apartment, Roland throws his tie at Slim when he attacks him. In the following shot, he is seen wearing it.

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Quotes

Mike: Now, any other day time drags during the last period. But not today. Naw, time was on crack today!

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Connections

References The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Back in the Day (Remix)"
Written by Ahmad, Stefan Gordy
Performed by Ahmad

User Reviews

wonderful movie and even better soundtrack

I am searching for the soundtrack and a particular song which has a refrain Higher. I thought it was by Teddy Pendergast but am not sure. And I need to find the album which contains the song. The cast and script was great for it showed how men grow up together and support each other through some tough times. It also developed the character of the parents,the bride and groom,and the close friends around the Wood. Fortunately, the picture of the close families helps keep the movie on track.The mistakes of the bride and groom seem normal in this modern world.The forceful father made it far more realistic. The diting of the scenes helped it move faster as it began to drag during the scene outside the door when he is being held by the father with his head on the door. At the end when the groom throws out the arm band it was well done and effective.