The Inkwell (1994)

A shy, troubled young man who set his own house on fire and has an imaginary friend, is sent to a vineyard where he finds himself in the middle of his political-arguing, party-loving family and his love torn between two girls.

Director:

Matty Rich

Writers:

Trey Ellis (as Tom Ricostronza), 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:

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

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Taglines:

Summer's Never Been So Much Fun!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

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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Goofs

A marquee is displayed showing a real film titled Bingo Long and the Traveling All-Stars. However, the spelling is incorrect as the marquee spells Traveling with two L's.

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Quotes

Kenny Tate: I never said I didn't play. I SAID I didn't want to play and you are the one that assumed I didn't know HOW to play this racket game!

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: When a Man Loves a Woman/PCU/With Honors/No Escape/The Favor (1994)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Good Movie Sidelined by Stupidity

So many parts of this movie were truly moving and then you were blasted with utterly stupid scenes...the insane giggling of the adolescent boys, the interactions between the brothers-in-law. What could have been a really tremendous movie was absolutely sidelined by the unsuccessful attempts at over-the-top humor that had none of us laughing.

In fact, when seeing the critics "hilarious" and such comments on the DVD box, it simply reinforced my belief that most, if not all, male critics in our society today are simply 14-year-old adolescent boys in adult bodies. This was simply not funny and should instead have gone with mild humor and the wonderful story basis. Such a shame!

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

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,358,988, 24 April 1994

Gross USA:

$8,880,705

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,880,705

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1