D.J. Haza presents the next entry in his series of films to watch before you die…
Friday, 1995.
Directed by F. Gary Gray.
Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Faizon Love, Tommy Lister Jnr, John Witherspoon, Regina King and Bernie Mac.
It’s Friday and Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker) have until 10 pm to pay a local weed dealer $200 or otherwise they are in deep trouble. Craig has just been fired from his job and wants to sort something out before his father ropes him into being a dog catches like him. Smokey has meant to be selling some weed for a local dealer, Big Worm (Faizon Love), but has puffed away the profits and so as not to be solely to blame he ropes Craig into the picture. The pair are given until 10pm Friday to get together the $200 that is owed to Big Worm or otherwise they are going to be in big trouble.
As Craig and Smokey attempt to solve their various problems and find Big Worm’s $200 they mix and interact with a range of wacky characters from their neighbourhood whilst they are both high as a kite. They attempt to steal money from the local bully Deebo (Tommy Lister Jnr) in order to pay big worm, they are followed by men in a black car and shot at as well as trying to arrange dates. Craig and Smokey’s adventures around their neighbourhood on this oddball Friday has a boatload of other stories, twists and turns all thrown into the mix with a hip-hop soundtrack from Ice Cube himself.
Friday was a massive hit in America amongst stoners and it earned back its production budget almost ten fold. The film became a cult classic in the States and in other countries thanks to its weed-enhanced storylines and ghetto-influenced comedy.
Friday is a film that must be seen before you die because it’s so simple, yet absolutely hilarious and a great film to watch on a chilled out Friday night with a few beers. There’s a load of wacky characters and great jokes as well as a few quips that will stick with you over your weekend.
D.J. Haza
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Originally published November 25, 2011. Updated April 10, 2018.
