Watch The Wood

The Wood is a 1999 coming-of-age movie about three childhood friends from Inglewood, CA, who reunite on the day of the wedding of one of the friends, Roland (Taye Diggs). The other two friends, Mike (Omar Epps) and Slim (Richard T. Jones), serve as his groomsmen. The movie takes us on a journey of their friendship from their youth to their present-day lives as they navigate life's challenges.

The story opens with an adult Mike, who is now a writer, recounting his high school days to a group of kids who are trying to steal his Jordans. This sets the tone for the rest of the movie, which is a flashback to when they were growing up. In a flashback, the three boys, Mike, Slim, and Roland, are in junior high, and they form a close bond, calling themselves the Three Musketeers.

The movie progresses with lots of flashbacks to their youth and shots of them getting ready for the wedding ceremony. The flashbacks illustrate the growth of their friendship, their first kiss, their first sexual experiences, and other experiences they shared growing up.

In high school, Mike was the star basketball player, while Slim was known for his sexual prowess, and Roland was the smart guy who earned a full scholarship to UCLA. The trio went through different phases in their lives, with Slim being forced to sell drugs for money, Roland dealing with some family issues, and Mike going through relationship problems.

As the day of the wedding approaches, Mike and Slim embark on a mission to find Roland, who has gone missing. Along the way, they reflect on their past, reminisce about old times, and confront some harsh realities about life. They eventually find Roland, who was simply running errands, and the trio reconciles.

The Wood is a tale of friendship, love, and growing up. It depicts the importance of having each other's backs during tough times and how the bond of friendship can be unbreakable. The movie received positive reviews and was hailed as one of the best Black films of the year.

One of the highlights of The Wood is its outstanding lineup of actors. Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones, and Taye Diggs delivered exceptional performances, bringing their characters to life with sincerity and depth. They portrayed the friendship and love between the three friends brilliantly and made audiences care about their journeys.

The movie was also notable for its portrayal of Black youth and life in urban America. It showed a different side of Black life that is often overlooked or misrepresented in media. It was a refreshing perspective that resonated with many viewers, earning the movie critical acclaim.

Another standout aspect of the movie was its soundtrack. Featuring popular tracks from the likes of Outkast, Jill Scott, and The Roots, the soundtrack added another layer to the film's appeal. The tracks were carefully selected to reflect the movie's themes and added an emotional depth to several scenes.

In conclusion, The Wood is a heartwarming, relatable, and often hilarious movie that anyone who has ever had a close friendship will find engaging. Its portrayal of Black youth and life in urban America was groundbreaking in 1999 and is still relevant today. The movie's outstanding performances, humor, and poignant moments make it a must-watch classic that has aged gracefully.

The Wood is a 1999 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 52.