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{{short description|1995 film directed by F. Gary Gray}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = Friday | name = Friday
| image = Fridayposter1995.jpg | image = Fridayposter1995.jpg
| image_size = 215px
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster | caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = ] | director = ]
| producer = Patricia Charbonnet | producer = Patricia Charbonnet<ref name="afi" />
| writer = ]<br />] | writer = ]<br />]
| starring = {{Plainlist|<!-- Per poster billing block. -->
| narrator = Ice Cube
* ]
| starring = Ice Cube<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]
* ]
| music = ]<br />Simon Franglen<br />Chuck Wild
* ]
| cinematography = ]
* ]
| editing = John Carter
* ]
| studio = Priority Films
* ]
| distributor = ]
* ]
| released = {{Film date|1995|04|26}}
* ]
| runtime = 91 minutes<br />97 minutes {{small|(])}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $3.5 million<ref name="mojo" />
| gross = $28,215,918<ref name="mojo" />
}} }}
| music = ]<br>Hidden Faces
'''''Friday''''' is a 1995 ]-]-] directed by ], making it his directorial debut for a hit movie. Starring ], ], ], ], ], and ], the film revolves around 16 hours in the lives of unemployed slackers ] and ], who must pay a ] $200 by 10:00 PM that night. The film spawned two ]s: '']'' and '']'', and a proposed fourth film, ''Last Friday''.
| cinematography = ]<ref name="afi" />
| editing = ]<ref name="afi" />
| production_companies = ]<ref name="afi" /><br />]<ref name="bfi">{{cite web |title=Friday (1995) |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7e70a82f |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110160225/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7e70a82f |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 10, 2018 |website=] |access-date=November 10, 2018}}</ref>
| distributor = ]<ref name="afi">{{cite web |title=Friday (1995) |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/59897 |website=] |access-date=November 10, 2018}}</ref>
| released = {{Film date|1995|4|26}}
| runtime = 91 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 91:27--><ref>{{cite web |title=Friday |url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/friday-1970-1 |website=] |access-date=November 10, 2018}}</ref><ref name="mojo" />
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $3.5 million<ref name="mojo" />
| gross = $27.4 million<ref name="mojo" />
}}
'''''Friday''''' is a 1995 American ] ] directed by ] and written by ] and ]. The first installment in the ], it stars ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. In the film, unemployed friends Craig Jones (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Tucker) face troubles after becoming indebted to a ] while also contending with the neighborhood bully in ].


While developing ''Friday'', Ice Cube and DJ Pooh sought to counteract the violent portrayal of the ], and drew on personal experiences when writing the screenplay. Preparations for the film began after the pair were able to secure funding from ], 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 ] director.
==Plot==
Craig is awakened by Smokey at 8:00 AM. Craig was fired from UPS the day before, after being falsely accused of stealing boxes. His parents scold him, and his father offers him a job at animal control, where he works, but Craig declines. Smokey and Craig instead decide to spend the day on the porch hanging out, smoking weed, and visiting with friends.


''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 ]. The film was also a commercial success, grossing $27 million worldwide. It subsequently obtained a large ], inspiring several ]s and pop-culture references and launched a ], with the sequels '']'' (2000) and '']'' (2002).
Throughout the day, friends and local neighborhood characters pass through, such as the harmless but always-scheming crackhead/petty thief Ezal; the unkempt, perpetual crackhead/moocher Felisha, who is also Debbie's sister; lascivious Pastor Clever, who has a brief fling with sultry parishioner Mrs. Parker before being unexpectedly interrupted by her infuriated, diminutive dwarf husband; package delivery driver Red, whose stolen bicycle and chain necklace, and black eye are courtesy of the hulking neighborhood bully Deebo; and China, friend of Craig's sister Dana.


==Plot==
The film's ] focuses on Smokey, who has been smoking a brokered consignment of "]", which he was supposed to be selling for drug dealer Big Worm. 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 the $200 worth of drugs no later than 10:00 that evening, or he and Craig will be killed.
Craig Jones, a recently fired and unemployed ] living in ], spends Friday with his best friend Smokey, a small-time drug peddler. The pair smoke a brokered consignment of ], which Smokey was tasked to sell for his drug supplier, Big Worm.


Big Worm attempts to collect his money from Smokey, who accidentally involves Craig, subjecting both to his ultimatum: if they are unable to repay him $200 by 10:00 PM that evening, Craig and Smokey will be killed.
Smokey is able to recover some of the money by selling pot to Hector, whom he hates for making him the brunt of a prank involving smoking a joint laced with ] that left Smokey running down the street at night in his underwear while in a drug-induced frenzy. Unfortunately further attempts to borrow money from Joi, Betty (Craig's mother) and Craig's sister, Dana, prove unsuccessful. Willie eventually learns of Craig's plight, as well as the fact that Craig is carrying a gun around for protection, and furiously scolds him for keeping bad company and allowing himself to be corrupted by street life, explaining that it is better to fight one's problems out man-to-man rather than resorting to picking up a gun.


Craig attempts to borrow money from a number of people, including his mother Betty, his sister Dana, and jealous girlfriend Joi, and Joi refuses under the assumption that Craig is being unfaithful with local ] and mooch Felisha and her sister Debbie. Craig retrieves a gun to walk Smokey home, but his father, Willie, tells him that he needs to use his fists instead of weapons to help himself. He also informs Craig that his former supervisor has called and wants to see him tomorrow.
Later on, the two plan how they are going to get Big Worm's money. By then, Rita, a girl Debbie had hooked 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 ] (as she told Smokey in their phone conversation), she is obese and practically bald (Smokey later said she looks more like ]).


Smokey sells some drugs to Hector, a former smoking buddy. At the same time, Deebo, the neighborhood bully, forces Smokey to break into their neighbor Stanley's house to burglarize, and they manage to steal $200 that Deebo decides to keep for himself.
Smokey heads to Debbie's house to complain about the date and notices Red's bike, which has been stolen by Deebo, on the lawn. He sneaks into a bedroom and finds Deebo asleep with Felisha beside him. He tries to steal the rest of the money that he and Deebo lifted from robbing Craig's neighbor Stanley earlier, but quickly leaves without the money as Deebo wakes up due to Ezail making noise as he tried to sneak inside the bedroom. Smokey goes back to Craig's house to tell him about the available money. Craig agrees to return to Debbie and Felisha's house to steal it from Deebo, but before they could leave Craig's house, they see Deebo riding by on Red's bike.


Looking down the block, the two notice a black car driving slowly and they hide behind a tree, suspecting a possible ] will occur. They settle back into Craig's room for about an hour, trying to get in touch with Big Worm. They decide to go back outside to prove they are not scared. Once outside, they notice a black van parked outside in the middle of the street with the headlights off. The two flee as the men in the van start shooting at them with ]s, ultimately landing in the back of a pick up truck where they remain safe. Smokey attempts to retrieve the money from Deebo, who is asleep with Felisha at her house, but fails due to interference from the petty thief Ezal. Seeing Deebo awake, Craig and Smokey notice a car driving slowly, and, suspecting a ], they hide in Craig's room for the evening. After failing to contact Big Worm, and with 10:00 PM approaching, they return outside but are forced to evade Big Worm's men as they are sitting in a black van with the headlights off, starting a shootout.


Everyone in the neighborhood emerges from their homes upon hearing the gunshots. Debbie confronts Deebo for physically assaulting Felisha. Deebo tells her that Felisha was trying to steal money from his pants, falsely accusing her for Smokey's earlier attempted theft, and warns her to go home. She continues to lambaste Deebo until he slaps her in the face. At this moment, Craig and Smokey arrive on the scene and Craig immediately steps in to defend Debbie. He stands up to Deebo and threatens him with the gun that he acquired earlier, but is ultimately convinced by Willie to hand the gun over to him. Craig and Deebo then engage in a bare-knuckle brawl. After a brutal fight, Craig emerges as the victor. Debbie tends to Craig, while Smokey steals the money he was after from the unconscious Deebo, Red retrieves his chain and bicycle (and delivers a parting shot of his own), and Ezail steals Deebo's shoes. After the shootout, the neighbors come out of their houses upon hearing the gunshots. Debbie confronts Deebo for beating Felisha, assuming Felisha was behind Smokey's attempted theft. As Craig and Smokey arrive, Deebo starts bullying Debbie by punching Debbie, knocking her to the ground, leading to a physical altercation between him and Craig. Craig is victorious by defeating him on Debbie's behalf.


Smokey steals $200 from the incapacitated Deebo as Red retrieves his stolen gold chain and bicycle. Debbie tends to Craig's wounds. When midnight happens, Craig breaks up with Joi on the phone, in favor of Debbie.
In the end, Craig has seemingly overcome all of the day's tribulations, save for finding employment. He and Debbie seem to hook up in the end, leading Craig to break up with Joi over the phone. Later, Smokey has a talk with Big Worm over the phone stating how he did not appreciate the sending of his crew to shoot at him and Craig. Big Worm explains that he has had to warn Smokey too many times about his money and that it was all about the principle of handling business.


Smokey says he has the $200 that he owes to Big Worm and that Big Worm should deal weed himself next time, as he is going to rehab. After hanging up, Smokey looks up, lights up a joint and ends the film by ], "I was just bullshittin'! And you know this, man!" Smokey settles his debt with Big Worm, telling him he will no longer sell drugs and is set to enter ]. Smokey then smokes a joint and ends the movie by ] and saying, "I was just bullshittin'! And you know this, man!"


==Cast== ==Cast==
{{div col|colwidth=50em}}
{{see also|List of Friday characters}}
* ] as Craig Jones
], as the neighborhood thug '''Deebo'''.]]
* ] as "Smokey"<ref>{{cite web |date=30 December 2021 |title=Ice Cube reveals the sobering reason Chris Tucker didn't appear in 'Friday' sequels |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-12-30/ice-cube-chris-tucker-friday-sequels |website=Los Angeles Times }}</ref>
* ] as Craig Jones
* ] as Smokey
* ] as Debbie * ] as Debbie
* ] as Deebo
* ] as Pastor Clever
* ] as Mr. William "Willie" Jones
* ] as Deebo
* ] as Willie Jones * ] as Mrs. Betty Jones
* ] as Betty Jones
* ] as Dana Jones * ] as Dana Jones
* ] as Joi * ] as Joi
* ] as Big Worm * ] as Pastor Clever
* ] as Red * ] as Felisha
* Angela Means as Felisha * ] as "Big Worm"
* ] as Ezal
* ] as Rita
* ] as Joann * ] as Joann
* Ronn Riser as Stanley JR * ] as "Red"
* ] as Mrs. Parker
* ] as Mr. Parker * ] as Mr. Parker
* ] as Mrs. Parker
* Anthony Johnson as Ezail
* Demetrius Navarro as Hector * ] as Hector
* Jason Bose Smith as Lil' Chris * ] as Red's Father
* Ronn Riser as Stanley
* Justin Revoner as Kid #1 * Justin Revoner as Kid #1
* ] as Kid #2 * ] as Kid #2
* ] as Old Lady
* ] as China * ] as China
* ] as Rita * ] as Store Employee
* James Bose Smith as Chris "Lil Chris"
* ] as Shooter
* ] as Red's father * ] as Jehovah's Witness
* ] as Drive-By Shooter
* ] ('']'') Stanley
* ] (''uncredited'') as Craps player * ] as Craps Player (uncredited)
{{div col end}}

==Production==
Before ''Friday''{{'}}s release, movies such as '']'' (also starring Ice Cube) and '']'' 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."<ref name="Oralhistory">{{cite web|last1=Diaz|first1=Angel|last2=Hahn|first2=Jason Duaine|title=And You Know This, Mannnnn: An Oral History of ''Friday''|url=http://www.complex.com/covers/oral-history-of-friday-20th-anniversary/|website=]|access-date=April 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221154635/https://www.complex.com/covers/oral-history-of-friday-20th-anniversary/|archive-date=December 21, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Therefore, Cube and DJ Pooh decided to create a film that would portray that environment.<ref name="Oralhistory" />

The script was only the third Ice Cube had ever written; the previous two were undeveloped.<ref name="Oralhistory" /> With the film, Ice Cube intended to make a "hood classic", one that could be " over and over and over again".<ref name="Throwawayline">{{cite magazine |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |date=April 20, 2015 |title=Ice Cube Talks 'Friday': ''Bye Felicia'' Is Such a Throwaway Line' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/ice-cube-talks-friday-bye-felicia-is-such-a-throwaway-line-20150420 |magazine=] |access-date=April 11, 2017}}</ref> 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 ],<ref name="Oralhistory" /> while Craig being fired on his day off was based on Ice Cube's cousin, who was working as a delivery driver for ] (UPS) at the time.<ref name="Throwawayline" />

Prior to writing, the duo realized their inexperience as filmmakers was unlikely to attract ]s, and floated the idea of self-financing the film.<ref name="Oralhistory" /> For a time, the idea of making the film in ] to save money was considered,<ref name="Oralhistory" /> before the pair decided on approaching ] about producing the film, who had achieved success with the '']'' series; a film-type the duo aimed to replicate.<ref name="Oralhistory" />

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.<ref name="Oralhistory" /> ] and ] were also considered for the role of Smokey.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/movies/chris-tucker-is-back-with-a-stand-up-tour.html|title = Back Again, Whether or Not He Was Away|newspaper = The New York Times|date = August 18, 2011|last1 = Itzkoff|first1 = Dave}}</ref><ref name="Oralhistory" /> Ice Cube and Pooh immediately decided on Tucker, after discovering the comic through '']''.<ref name="Oralhistory" /> However, Tucker's first audition was poorly received, but was granted more time to try again at a later date.<ref name="Oralhistory" /> Tucker soon contacted ], 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."<ref name="Oralhistory" />

Ice Cube was granted license to select the film's director, and decided on ], who was a ] 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.<ref name="Oralhistory" />

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 delivers hard-hitting social issues in hardcore gangsta rap, and who has a hardcore view on politics, you would never think comedy."<ref name="Oralhistory" />


==Release== ==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. ''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.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kory Grow |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/ice-cube-talks-friday-bye-felicia-is-such-a-throwaway-line-89794/ |title='Friday' Movie: Ice Cube Looks Back on 'Bye, Felicia' |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2015-04-20 |accessdate=2022-03-27}}</ref>


===Home media=== ===Home media===
The film was released on ] on March 2, 1999 and ] on September 8, 2009 with a new director's cut (97 minutes). The single disc DVD contains a theatrical trailer, a featurette on the film, and cast and crew interviews. The film was released on ] on October 10, 1995, on ] on March 2, 1999, and on ] on September 8, 2009.


==Reception== ==Reception==
{{Expand section|date=December 2021}}
The film received mostly positive reviews from critics. ] gives the film a score of 77% based on 22 reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/friday/ |title=Friday (1995) |publisher=] | work = ] |date=|accessdate=2010-10-08}}</ref> ] gives the film a positive score of 72%, based on 10 reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/friday |title=Friday |publisher=CBS | work = ] |date=1999-09-27 |accessdate=2010-10-08}}</ref>
''Friday'' grossed $6,589,341 on its opening weekend debuting at #2 in the ] in 865 theaters, averaging $7,617 per theater.<ref>{{cite news|title=Weekend Box Office |work=]|date=May 2, 1995|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-02-ca-61187-story.html|access-date=December 3, 2010}}</ref> The film grossed $27,467,564 in ],<ref name="mojo">{{cite web |date=June 13, 1995 |title=Friday (1995) |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=friday.htm |access-date=October 8, 2010 |website=] |publisher=}}</ref> against a budget of $3.5 million.


] 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."<ref>{{cite web |title=Friday (1995) |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/friday/ |access-date=May 16, 2022 |website=] |publisher=}}</ref> ] gives the film a score of 54 out of 100, based on 9 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |title=Friday |url=http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/friday |access-date=October 8, 2010 |website=] |publisher= |archive-date=April 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406085520/http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/friday |url-status=dead }}</ref>
] recognition:
* ]:
** "Damn!" - Nominated<ref></ref>


===Box office=== ==Legacy==
The film has obtained a large ] since its release. A scene in the film is the source of the internet meme "]"—which is a phrase meant to dismiss an inconsequential person. Former ] linebacker ] and ] wide receiver ] are both nicknamed Deebo in reference to the character from the film.<ref>{{cite web |last=McSmash |first=Steely |date=September 6, 2008 |title=Before We Get This Party Started, One Last BTSC Steelers Chat With Jim Wexell |url=http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2008/9/6/608579/before-we-get-this-party-s |access-date=August 17, 2012 |website=Behind the Steel Curtain |publisher=}}</ref>
''Friday'' grossed $6,589,341 on its opening weekend debuting at #2 in the ] in 865 theaters, averaging $7,617 per theater.<ref>{{cite news|title=Weekend Box Office|publisher=]|date=1995-05-02|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1995-05-02/entertainment/ca-61187_1_weekend-gross|accessdate=2010-12-03}}</ref> The film grossed $27,467,564 in ] and $748,354 internationally, with a total of $28,215,918 worldwide.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=friday.htm |title=Friday (1995) |publisher=IMDB | work = Box Office Mojo |date=1995-06-13 |accessdate=2010-10-08}}</ref>

Director ] counted ''Friday'' as one of his 20 favorite movies from 1992 to 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title= Team America, Anything Else Among the Best Movies of the Past Seventeen Years, Claims Quentin Tarantino|last=Brown|first=Lane|work=] | publisher=New York Media LLC | url =http://www.vulture.com/2009/08/speed_and_team_america_among_q.html|date=August 17, 2019|access-date=September 13, 2016}}</ref>

American rapper ] referenced Deebo in his 2024 song ], a ] track to Canadian rapper ].<ref>https://genius.com/31643257</ref>

===Sequels===
The film's success spawned ]: '']'' (2000) and '']'' (2002). A fourth installment, tentatively titled ''Last Friday'', has been in the works for several years. The film also inspired an animated series, titled '']'', 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== ==Soundtrack==
{{main|Friday (soundtrack)}} {{Main|Friday (soundtrack)}}

==See also==
* ]


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
{{wikiquote}} {{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|0113118|Friday}} * {{IMDb title|0113118}}
* {{allrovi movie|134677|Friday}}
* {{mojo title|friday|Friday}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|friday|Friday}}
* {{metacritic film|friday|Friday}}


{{Friday}} {{Friday movie}}
{{F. Gary Gray}} {{F. Gary Gray}}


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Latest revision as of 01:36, 22 December 2024

1995 film directed by F. Gary Gray

Friday
Theatrical release poster
Directed byF. Gary Gray
Written byIce Cube
DJ Pooh
Produced byPatricia Charbonnet
Starring
CinematographyGerry Lively
Edited byJohn Carter
Music byFrank Fitzpatrick
Hidden Faces
Production
companies		New Line Productions
Cube Vision
Distributed byNew Line Cinema
Release date
  • April 26, 1995 (1995-04-26)
Running time91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
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

Craig Jones, a recently fired and unemployed slacker living in South Central Los Angeles, spends Friday with his best friend Smokey, a small-time drug peddler. The pair smoke a brokered consignment of marijuana, which Smokey was tasked to sell for his drug supplier, Big Worm.

Big Worm attempts to collect his money from Smokey, who accidentally involves Craig, subjecting both to his ultimatum: if they are unable to repay him $200 by 10:00 PM that evening, Craig and Smokey will be killed.

Craig attempts to borrow money from a number of people, including his mother Betty, his sister Dana, and jealous girlfriend Joi, and Joi refuses under the assumption that Craig is being unfaithful with local drug addict and mooch Felisha and her sister Debbie. Craig retrieves a gun to walk Smokey home, but his father, Willie, tells him that he needs to use his fists instead of weapons to help himself. He also informs Craig that his former supervisor has called and wants to see him tomorrow.

Smokey sells some drugs to Hector, a former smoking buddy. At the same time, Deebo, the neighborhood bully, forces Smokey to break into their neighbor Stanley's house to burglarize, and they manage to steal $200 that Deebo decides to keep for himself.

Smokey attempts to retrieve the money from Deebo, who is asleep with Felisha at her house, but fails due to interference from the petty thief Ezal. Seeing Deebo awake, Craig and Smokey notice a car driving slowly, and, suspecting a drive-by shooting, they hide in Craig's room for the evening. After failing to contact Big Worm, and with 10:00 PM approaching, they return outside but are forced to evade Big Worm's men as they are sitting in a black van with the headlights off, starting a shootout.

After the shootout, the neighbors come out of their houses upon hearing the gunshots. Debbie confronts Deebo for beating Felisha, assuming Felisha was behind Smokey's attempted theft. As Craig and Smokey arrive, Deebo starts bullying Debbie by punching Debbie, knocking her to the ground, leading to a physical altercation between him and Craig. Craig is victorious by defeating him on Debbie's behalf.

Smokey steals $200 from the incapacitated Deebo as Red retrieves his stolen gold chain and bicycle. Debbie tends to Craig's wounds. When midnight happens, Craig breaks up with Joi on the phone, in favor of Debbie.

Smokey settles his debt with Big Worm, telling him he will no longer sell drugs and is set to enter rehabilitation. Smokey then smokes a joint and ends the movie by looking at the camera and saying, "I was just bullshittin'! And you know this, man!"

Cast

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 " 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 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

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2021)

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.

American rapper Kendrick Lamar referenced Deebo in his 2024 song Not Like Us, a diss track to Canadian rapper Drake.

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

References

  1. ^ "Friday (1995)". American Film Institute. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  2. "Friday (1995)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  3. "Friday". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  4. ^ "Friday (1995)". Box Office Mojo. June 13, 1995. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  5. "Ice Cube reveals the sobering reason Chris Tucker didn't appear in 'Friday' sequels". Los Angeles Times. December 30, 2021.
  6. ^ Diaz, Angel; Hahn, Jason Duaine. "And You Know This, Mannnnn: An Oral History of Friday". Complex. Archived from the original on December 21, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  7. ^ Grow, Kory (April 20, 2015). "Ice Cube Talks 'Friday': Bye Felicia Is Such a Throwaway Line'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  8. Itzkoff, Dave (August 18, 2011). "Back Again, Whether or Not He Was Away". The New York Times.
  9. Kory Grow (April 20, 2015). "'Friday' Movie: Ice Cube Looks Back on 'Bye, Felicia'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  10. "Weekend Box Office". Los Angeles Times. May 2, 1995. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  11. "Friday (1995)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  12. "Friday". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  13. McSmash, Steely (September 6, 2008). "Before We Get This Party Started, One Last BTSC Steelers Chat With Jim Wexell". Behind the Steel Curtain. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  14. Brown, Lane (August 17, 2019). "Team America, Anything Else Among the Best Movies of the Past Seventeen Years, Claims Quentin Tarantino". Vulture. New York Media LLC. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  15. https://genius.com/31643257

External links

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Films directed by F. Gary Gray
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