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| Directed by Rick Famuyiwa; Starring Omar Epps, Sean Nelson, Taye Diggs, Richard T. Jones, Trent Cameron, Duane Finley, Malinda Williams, LisaRaye, De’aundre Bonds, and Cynthia Martells |
Not too long ago I complained on the state of the African American films of recent day. I believe the rant was sparked by the film Trippin’, yet another African American comedy about the non-stop sexual urges of a young man. In fact it seems that for the most part, there are three kinds of films in that genre, the comedies like such, the female get together and cry dramas, and the action films about gangs causing urban crime. The latter seems to appear more often with things like Dead Presidents and Menace II Society. No matter what, most seem to be mean spirited, taking on the oppression. That is not the way with The Wood.
Set in Englewood, California, The Wood does not have a big gun fight or a chance for some rapper turned actor to utter a long list of expletives for a laugh. Instead it relies on likable characters learning through the trials and travails of life. The characters and film are not mean spirited, but they are enjoyable people that are just making their way through life. Too bad that such a good spot in the genre could not be done in a better film.
Despite having very likable characters, The Wood seems just too sappy. It’s a look back on those ever so important school years of its three friends and how their bond has lasted to the date of the setting as one of the three friends gets ready to marry. The narrator and star would be Mike (Epps), who, along with Slim (Jones), must find and coerce their friend Roland (Diggs) into getting to his wedding on time. All the while, they reminisce about the old days like when they went to the school dance, getting involved in a robbery in the process and when they wagered on losing their virginity, leading to a seemingly meaningful relationship between young Mike (Nelson) and Alicia (Williams).
The cast is enjoyable, especially Diggs who has now officially made up for How Stella Got Her Groove Back. The direction from Famuyiwa does seem novice but gets the point straight. My big problem with the film was in the script department. It seemed as if it was just the throwing together of disjointed memories of the two screenwriters. None of the scenarios really stick and serve as any enjoyable piece of storytelling. Still I commend The Wood for being likable and for maybe leading to a new genre in the African American film community.
