May 2000

The Wood
Reviewed by Doug Schneider
DVD Format

Overall Enjoyment:
Picture Quality:
Sound Quality:
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Starring Taye Diggs, Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones, Sanaa Lathan

Directed by Rick Famuyiwa

Theatrical Release: 1999
DVD Release: 2000
Dolby Digital 5.1
Widescreen (Anamorphic)

A wedding, a nervous groom, and a group of male friends recalling the fond memories of their youth. It’s the typical Hollywood story we’ve seen many times before, yet The Wood tells this predictable story with added freshness and vitality.

Early in the film we learn that "The Wood" doesn’t refer to what most guys think it does. In this case, it is in reference to Inglewood, California, the setting for this story. The film is about three best friends, Mike (Omar Epps), Roland (Taye Diggs), and Slim (Richard T. Jones), and the history of their lives from early teens to adulthood. Three younger actors -- Sean Nelson, Trent Cameon and Duane Finley, play their teenage characters. Mike, who periodically addresses the camera to provide additional information, narrates the entire story.

The story begins in the present, a few hours before Roland’s wedding. Roland is having doubts about what he’s about to do and elects to go get drunk and visit his ex-girlfriend. Mike and Slim know that getting married is in Roland’s best interest so they set out to lure him back. This current-day story is really only an excuse for what is, in my opinion, the best part of the film -- the story of three friends as teenagers.

It’s the 1980’s and Mike is the new kid in school. He’s from the east and very naïve. He has no idea about things like drugs, gang violence or basketball -- activities that permeate his current school. Roland and Slim are good kids who take an immediate liking to Mike and take him under their protective wings. The three become inseparable.

While Mike may not be interested in drugs, gangs or basketball, he is certainly interested in women, as are the other two. On his first day at school Mike accepts a dare that lands him in trouble with the brother of a pretty, young girl named Alicia. Alicia’s brother is in a gang and beats Mike up for what he did. Alicia, feeling bad for what happened to Mike, eventually befriends him and ultimately becomes his girlfriend.

What makes The Wood so likeable is the way the characters develop. Unlike so many films where young characters are made to act too cool, or worse yet, too much like adults, the three friends here are goofy, naïve, and at many times quite foolish. Any male watching the film will likely cringe at times because much of the film’s content rings true. It’s been said that the story here mirrors first-time feature director Rick Famuyiwa’s own experiences growing up under similar circumstances. That’s easy to believe since the film is so easy to identify with.

Although the actors playing the older and younger versions of Mike, Roland and Slim share equal screen time, the story focuses more on Mike and his ongoing relationship with Alicia. If there is anything to criticize, it’s that the story is, perhaps, a little too schmaltzy and sappy. It’s a story of love and friendship viewed through rose-colored glasses. However, that approach also makes it light-hearted and uplifting.

As for the quality of the DVD itself, the picture is very good with a bright and vibrant appearance. The film is packed with a lot of music so I was able to listen to the quality of sound reproduction and compare it to what one gets from a good stereo. There’s nice bass extension, well-extended highs and good clarity throughout. However, in terms of what one can obtain from good CD playback, this soundtrack, like virtually all others, falls back in terms of overall fidelity. Good enough, but nothing outstanding in that regard. Finally, DVD extras are scarce and contain not much more than the theatrical trailer.

Overall, The Wood is a good film and a very fine first-time effort from Famuyiwa. It is paced well, tells a great story, and there are enough light-hearted laughs amidst a touching and well-told tale to make for an easy recommendation. 

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