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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

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.

---

Goofs

St. Bernard High School is actually located in Los Angeles, Playa Del Ray, California not Inglewood.

---

Quotes

Young Slim: Ms. Hughes, what page fifteen on?

---

Connections

References Dance Fever (1979)

---

Soundtracks

"I Can"
Written by DMX (as Earl Simmons)
Performed by DMX

User Reviews

A great movie of African American friendship in the 80's.

I really liked this movie, and I think many teens and adults, particularily African-Americans will like this movie. All those young adults who grew up will really like this movie, too.

I thought it was excellent, and many parts made me laugh so hard I cried. All the actors did a very good job, too.