Friday (1995 film)

Friday is a 1995 American stoner-buddy crime comedy film directed by F. Gary Gray (in his directorial debut), starring Ice Cube (who also co-wrote the film) and Chris Tucker.

Due to the success of the film, it spawned two sequels: Next Friday and Friday After Next.

Plot
The film is about two unemployed slacker guys, Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker) who owe a drug dealer (Faizon Love) $200 dollars by 10:00pm after they smoke his weed.

Throughout the day, encounters with their neighbors, friends, a neighborhood bully (Tiny Lister Jr.), relationship issues & a drive-by shooting take up most of their time.

Cast

 * Ice Cube as Craig Jones
 * Chris Tucker as Smokey
 * Nia Long as Debbie
 * Bernie Mac as Pastor Clever
 * Tiny Lister, Jr. as Deebo
 * John Witherspoon as Willie Jones
 * Anna Maria Horsford as Betty Jones
 * Regina King as Dana Jones
 * Paula Jai Parker as Joi
 * Faizon Love as Big Worm
 * DJ Pooh as Red
 * Angela Means Kaaya as Felisha
 * Vickilyn Reynolds as Joann
 * Ronn Riser as Stanley
 * Kathleen Bradley as Mrs. Parker
 * Tony Cox as Mr. Parker
 * Anthony Johnson as Ezail
 * Demetrius Navarro as Hector
 * Jason Bose Smith as Lil' Chris
 * Justin Revoner as Kid #1
 * Meagan Good as Kid #2
 * Lawanda Page as Old Lady
 * Terri J. Vaughn as China
 * Yvette Wilson as Rita
 * WC as Shooter
 * Reynaldo Rey as Red's father
 * F. Gary Gray (cameo role) as The Man in the Store
 * Michael Clarke Duncan (uncredited) as Craps Player

Production
"Friday" was filmed in 20 days. It was filmed in South Los Angeles, California on 126th Street between Halldale and Normandie. The houses used in filming were houses of old friends of director F. Gary Gray.

Due to safety issues because the film was shot in a Crip neighborhood, the cast members were warned not to wear anything red.

Chris Rock and Tommy Davidson were considered for the role of Smokey.

Box Office
"Friday" opened at #2 at the box office, grossing $6,589,341 during its opening weekend.

The film grossed $27,467,564 in North America and $748,354 internationally with a total of $28,215,918 worldwide.

Critical Reception
"Friday" received mostly positive reviews from critics.

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 77% based on 22 reviews. Metacritic gives the film a mixed score of 54%, based on 9 reviews.

The Austin Chronicle called it "a refreshingly lighthearted look at day-to-day life in the inner city" and also said, "Despite its faults, Friday is lively entertainment, full of personable actors and cheerfully served up with nary a trace of cynicism. It's not perfect, but it is fun".

Richard Harrington from the Washington Post said "Friday" is "a bracing reminder of how quickly a good day can turn to bad and how such events become a fact of life".

Accolades
1996 MTV Movie Awards
 * Best Breakthrough Performance: Chris Tucker (nominated)
 * Best Comedic Performance: Chris Tucker (nominated)
 * Best On-Screen Duo: Ice Cube and Chris Tucker (nominated)