Friday (1995 film)

Friday
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	F. Gary Gray
Written by	Ice Cube DJ Pooh
Produced by	Patricia Charbonnet
Starring	Ice Cube Chris Tucker Nia Long Tiny "Zeus" Lister Jr. Regina King Anna Maria Horsford Bernie Mac John Witherspoon
Cinematography	Gerry Lively
Edited by	John Carter
Music by	Frank Fitzpatrick Hidden Faces
Production companies	New Line Productions Cube Vision
Distributed by	New Line Cinema
Release date	April 14, 1995 (1995-04-14)
Running time	91 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$3.5 million
Box office	$27.4 million

Friday is a 1995 American buddy comedy film directed by F. Gary Gray and written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh. The first installment in the Friday trilogy, it stars Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Tiny "Zeus" Lister Jr., Regina King, Anna Maria Horsford, Bernie Mac, and John Witherspoon. In the film, unemployed friends Craig Jones (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Tucker) face troubles after becoming indebted to a drug dealer while also contending with the neighborhood bully in South Central Los Angeles.

While developing Friday, Ice Cube and DJ Pooh sought to counteract the violent portrayal of the hood in film, and drew on personal experiences when writing the screenplay. Preparations for the film began after the pair were able to secure funding from New Line Cinema, who granted finance in exchange for a seasoned comedian in one of the lead roles; Ice Cube and DJ Pooh quickly settled on Tucker during casting. The film was Gray's film directorial debut, who was previously known as a music video director.

Friday was theatrically released in the United States on April 26, 1995, by New Line. It received positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised the comedic sequences, writing, and acting performances, particularly Tucker's: the film is considered his breakout role. The film was also a commercial success, grossing $27 million worldwide. It subsequently obtained a large cult following, inspiring several internet memes and pop-culture references and launched a media franchise, with the sequels Next Friday (2000) and Friday After Next (2002).

Plot

On Friday in South Central Los Angeles, Craig Jones has recently been fired from his job while collecting his wages, as he was allegedly caught on camera stealing packages, although he claims innocence. Exacerbating his dilemma, his father, Willie Jones, attempts to persuade Craig to join him in becoming a dog catcher, threatening to kick him out if he doesn't find a job. All the while, Craig has been eyeing pretty neighbor Debbie, but his insanely jealous girlfriend Joi is a formidable obstacle.

Meanwhile, Craig's best friend, Smokey, has also been smoking a brokered consignment of marijuana, which he was supposed to be selling for the psychopathic drug dealer Big Worm.

Throughout the day, friends and local neighborhood characters pass through, such as the harmless but always-scheming crackhead and petty thief Ezal; the unkempt, perpetual crackhead/moocher Felisha, who is also Debbie's sister; lascivious Pastor Clever, who has a brief sex affair with sultry parishioner Mrs. Parker, before being unexpectedly interrupted by her infuriated, diminutive dwarf husband; Shana, a friend of Craig's sister Dana who’s also her hairdresser; and Hector, a well-known stoner who rides around the neighborhood in a lowrider. There's also package-delivery driver Red, Craig's childhood friend and former coworker, whose stolen bicycle and black eye are courtesy of the hulking neighborhood bully Deebo, who intimidates Smokey into breaking in the house of Stanley, Craig's next door neighbor, they both steal $200, which Deebo keeps for himself.

As Big Worm is making his rounds, he stops through the neighborhood in an Ice Cream Truck to collect his money from Smokey. In an attempt to explain his obvious lack of revenue, Smokey inadvertently incriminates Craig, subjecting both to Big Worm's wrath. Big Worm has had enough of Smokey "playing with his emotions" and warns him to collect either the $200 dollars no later than 10:00 that evening, or he and Craig will be killed. Craig, although infuriated that Smokey incriminated him, reluctantly agrees to help his friend. Craig's first attempt is to borrow the money from his girlfriend, Joi, but after another run in with Felisha, he is unsuccessful.

Craig has a serious moment with Smokey, who still doesn't understand the severity of Big Worm's threat. He goes into his house to receive the gun he bought, but his father eventually learns of the plan, and tells Craig that he should use his hands instead of guns to resolve his problems, all while telling his son the story of how his brother lost his life due to gun violence. Craig ponders on this thought and eventually goes back outside, where Smokey makes a marijuana transaction with Hector (after Craig has to remind him of what's at stake). Suddenly, Deebo comes back around to hassle the duo and Red, who at this point gets his chain snatched. Later on, the two plan how they are going to get Big Worm's money. By then, Rita, a girl Debbie had set Smokey up with earlier on the phone, arrives. Smokey approaches her car with confidence until he finds out that she lied about her image; instead of resembling Janet Jackson like she said, she is fat and practically bald. Meanwhile, Craig attempts to borrow money from Dana, who doesn't give him the money but informs their father of Big Worm's threat. He then attempts to borrow money from his mother, but she doesn't feel comfortable with loaning him anything since he just lost his job the previous day.

Angered that Debbie tricked him, Smokey heads to her house and confronts her, before noticing Red's bike on the lawn, and inquiring on why Deebo is there, to which Debbie informs that he's asleep with Felisha. Smokey, upon seeing an opportunity, sneaks into Felisha's room and tries to retrieve the money that he and Deebo stole from Stanley's house earlier, but he's interrupted by Ezal, who unintentionally wakes Deebo up, leaving both men having to escape empty-handed. Smokey enlists Craig's help to go back and try again, but at that moment, Deebo rides Red's bike past them. Smokey decides to give up as nothing seems to be going their way, but right before they can go back to their houses, Lil Chris tries to scare and taunt them, trying to speed away on his bike, he is unsuccessful and Smokey whips him with a belt, finally getting revenge for all the times he's knocked their trashcans over.

The two notice a black car driving up slowly and they hide, suspecting a possible drive-by shooting. Scared, they settle back into Craig's room for an hour, trying to get in touch with Big Worm. As paranoia kicks in, Smokey makes one last attempt to contact him, but is interrupted by Willie, as he was informed by Dana about the situation at hand, after he shoos them (Smokey in particular) out, Craig grabs his gun from his dresser in an attempt to escort Smokey back to his house. Once outside, they notice a van parked in the middle of the street with its headlights off, Big Worm's men start shooting at them, both Craig and Smokey provide cover for each other, shooting back while attempting to flee, they eventually hide in the bed of a truck as Big Worm’s men pass by looking for them.

Craig's parents and their neighbors come out of their houses after hearing the gunshots, with Dana being particularly worried, asking the neighbors the whereabouts of her brother and Smokey. Debbie then confronts Deebo for assaulting Felisha, after Deebo falsely accuses Felisha of Smokey's attempted theft. Deebo eventually assaults Debbie, as Craig and Smokey arrive.

Angered that Deebo has assaulted Debbie, Craig stands up to him, and threatens him with his gun. Deebo scoffs at the threat, and Mr. Jones encourages Craig to put the gun down and fight with his hands. Shortly after, Craig and Deebo fight. After nearly losing, Craig wins by using various objects as weapons (such as a brick and a trash can) and knocks Deebo out.

As Debbie tends to Craig, Smokey steals back the money he was robbed of earlier and flees the scene. As Deebo attempts to regain consciousness, Red knocks him out again and retrieves his stolen chain and bicycle, while Ezal steals Deebo's shoes. Craig and Debbie agree to meet up the following day and Craig breaks up with Joi on the phone. Craig has seemingly overcome all of the day's tribulations, save for finding employment.

Later that night, Smokey settles with Big Worm, who explains that he had to warn Smokey too many times about his money and that it was all about the principle of handling business. Smokey rebuffs, telling Big Worm to sell the weed himself the next time, as he announces that he is giving up drug dealing and going to rehabilitation. After hanging up, Smokey looks up, lights a joint, and closes the movie by breaking the fourth wall and telling the audience, "I was just bullshittin'! And you know this, man!"

Cast

• Ice Cube as Craig Jones
• Chris Tucker as Smokey
• Nia Long as Debbie
• Tiny "Zeus" Lister Jr. as Deebo
• John Witherspoon as Mr. Jones
• Anna Maria Horsford as Mrs. Jones
• Regina King as Dana Jones
• Paula Jai Parker as Joi
• Bernie Mac as Pastor Clever
• Angela Means as Felisha
• Faizon Love as Big Worm
• Anthony Johnson as Ezal
• Yvette Wilson as Rita
• Vickilyn Reynolds as Joann
• DJ Pooh as Red
• Tony Cox as Mr. Parker
• Kathleen Bradley as Mrs. Parker
• Demetrius Navarro as Hector
• Reynaldo Rey as Red's father
• Ronn Riser as Stanley
• Justin Revoner as Kid #1
• Meagan Good as Kid #2
• Terri J. Vaughn as China
• F. Gary Gray as Store employee
• James Bose Smith as Lil Chris
• LaWanda Page as Jehovah's Witness
• WC as Drive-by shooter
• Michael Clarke Duncan as Craps player (uncredited)

Production

Before Friday's release, movies such as Boyz n the Hood (also starring Ice Cube) and Colors portrayed life in the hood as violent and menacing. Ice Cube and DJ Pooh felt that these films did not portray the full picture of living in the hood, missing a more lighthearted element, with Ice Cube later saying, "we had fun in the hood. We used to trip off the neighborhood." Therefore, Cube and DJ Pooh decided to create a film that would portray that environment.

The script was only the third Ice Cube had ever written; the previous two were undeveloped. With the film, Ice Cube intended to make a "hood classic", one that could be "[watched] over and over and over again". According to Ice Cube, a majority of the film is autobiographical, with much of it being based on events that occurred in his neighborhood growing up. Smokey was based on DJ Pooh's stint as a drug dealer, while Craig being fired on his day off was based on Ice Cube's cousin, who was working as a delivery driver for United Parcel Service (UPS) at the time.

Prior to writing, the duo realized their inexperience as filmmakers was unlikely to attract major film studios, and floated the idea of self-financing the film. For a time, the idea of making the film in black and white to save money was considered, before the pair decided on approaching New Line Cinema about producing the film, who had achieved success with the House Party series; a film-type the duo aimed to replicate.

New Line Cinema agreed to finance the production, but requested that the role of Smokey, initially to be played by DJ Pooh, be played by someone with more experience. Chris Rock and Tommy Davidson were also considered for the role of Smokey. Ice Cube and Pooh immediately decided on Tucker, after discovering the comic through Def Comedy Jam. However, Tucker's first audition was poorly received, but was granted more time to try again at a later date. Tucker soon contacted Angela Means, aiming to work with her acting coach, but she invited him to a workshop session over dinner to help him secure the role. According to Means, "by the time that spaghetti was gone, Chris was Smokey."

Ice Cube was granted license to select the film's director, and decided on F. Gary Gray, who was a music video director. Gray had previously worked with Ice Cube on a number of occasions and was also aiming to establish a foothold in Hollywood through a short film. Ice Cube instead offered him the role for Friday, attracted to the fact that he and Gray had similar backgrounds, feeling the director would accurately capture the film's aesthetic.

Gray said that Ice Cube starring in a comedy "scared the shit out of me," as he doubted whether audiences would buy into Cube portraying a role so different from his public persona. Gray explained, "Ice Cube was the toughest man in America, and when you take someone [who] delivers hard-hitting social issues in hardcore gangsta rap, and who has a hardcore view on politics, you would never think comedy."

Release

Friday was released on April 26, 1995, in the United States, June 30, 1995, in the United Kingdom, and October 5, 1995, in Australia. The film saw a limited, theatrical re-release in honor of its 20th anniversary on April 20, 2015, for one night only.

Home media

The film was released on VHS on October 10, 1995, on DVD on March 2, 1999, and on Blu-ray on September 8, 2009.

Reception

Friday grossed $6,589,341 on its opening weekend debuting at #2 in the box office in 865 theaters, averaging $7,617 per theater. The film grossed $27,467,564 in North America, against a budget of $3.5 million.

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 76% based on 29 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "What Friday might lack in taut construction or directorial flair, it more than makes up with its vibrant (albeit consistently crass) humor and the charming, energetic performances of its leads." Metacritic gives the film a score of 54 out of 100, based on 9 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Legacy

The film has obtained a large cult following since its release. A scene in the film is the source of the internet meme "Bye, Felicia"—which is a phrase meant to dismiss an inconsequential person. Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel are both nicknamed Deebo in reference to the character from the film.

Director Quentin Tarantino counted Friday as one of his 20 favorite movies from 1992 to 2009.

Sequels

The film's success spawned two sequels: Next Friday (2000) and Friday After Next (2002). A fourth installment, tentatively titled Last Friday, has been in the works for several years. The film also inspired an animated series, titled Friday: The Animated Series, which aired in summer 2007.

The sequel Next Friday was the most successful in the franchise grossing a total of $59.8 million worldwide.

Soundtrack

Main article: Friday (soundtrack)

See also

• List of hood films

External links

• Friday at IMDb
• Friday at AllMovie