The Wood (1999)

61% of critics liked it
(56 reviews)
90% of users liked it
(33,301 ratings)

A man who's uncertain about the biggest step forward of his life steps back to take a look at his younger days in this comedy/drama. Roland (Taye Diggs) is a few hours away from getting married, and he is starting to have second thoughts; as much as he loves his fiancée, he can't stop thinking about… More A man who's uncertain about the biggest step forward of his life steps back to take a look at his younger days in this comedy/drama. Roland (Taye Diggs) is a few hours away from getting married, and he is starting to have second thoughts; as much as he loves his fiancée, he can't stop thinking about Tanya (Tamala Jones), his first serious girlfriend in high school. Roland is hanging out with his two best friends, whom he also first met in school, Mike (Omar Epps), a solid regular guy, and Slim (Richard T. Jones), a flashy personality who plays pro basketball in Europe. They talk about the old days and flash back on growing up in Inglewood, California (nicknamed "The Wood") in the 1980's, when Run DMC and Eric B & Rakim were the happening sounds, and guys used to argue over who was hotter, Vanity or Apollonia. At the last minute, Roland takes off, wanting to pay Tanya a visit, and Mike and Slim are determined to track him down and make sure that he gets to the altar on time. The Wood was the debut feature film for writer/director Rick Famuyiwa, whose first short subject, Blacktop Lingo, won an enthusiastic response at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Rick Famuyiwa
Written By: Rick Famuyiwa
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 16, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Jan 18, 2000
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Choppy coming-of-age story.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
An across-the-board delight featuring a spot-on ensemble cast that treats the most awkward and embarrassing moments in the rites of passage with affectionate hilarity.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The growing-up stuff is kind of wonderful.
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Famuyiwa has kicked up fertile new storytelling territory for black filmmakers.
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Inane coming-of-age comedy.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
Since positive images of middle-class black friendships and romance remain rare while gangster tales, drugs and gang gunfire dominate the screen, The Wood gets bonus points.
Tom Meek, Film Threat
It wants to be Boyz in the Hood (Boyz in the Wood) but the obscenity laced dialogue and raw objectification of woman renders it a contrite pretender more along the lines of Booty Call and Trippin.
Leslie Felperin, Sight and Sound
Never delves much deeper into the three friends' psychology than a sitcom pilot would, though the cast try their best.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
A charmer, a heartfelt memoir full of the buoyant good spirits and free-wheeling fun that, say, American Pie never had.
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
A well-intentioned exercise in humanism... but as art or a successful narrative, the movie is ultimately empty.
Wade Major, Boxoffice Magazine
Heartfelt honesty and a determined refusal to resort to exploitative stereotypes help make The Wood an uncommonly uplifting experience for audiences of all races and backgrounds.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Three middle-class African-American men yearn to stay forever young as they struggle with their relationships with women.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel P

This was a good little flashback movie, and though it was enjoyable, I found a lot of the scenes a bit long: its style is too glossy to feel truly authentic even though it sometimes seems realistic, and as such, the film drags a bit. Richard T. Jones steals the show, though, and Omar… More
This was a good little flashback movie, and though it was enjoyable, I found a lot of the scenes a bit long: its style is too glossy to feel truly authentic even though it sometimes seems realistic, and as such, the film drags a bit. Richard T. Jones steals the show, though, and Omar Epps turns in a strong performance: all in all, a decent flick, definitely worth watching.
danny d

great flick, reminded me of my youth
Lanning :

Only half as good as I'd hoped. The two stars are for the flashbacks. The present-time material needs work.
Leo L

Funny!