Review of Friday (1995) by Deckard2 — 31 Jan 2022

(SPOILER!) You chill with Ice Cube and Chris Tucker for 90 minutes....that's the plot.

Ice Cube/O'Shea Jackson plays down and out Craig who whilst still living with his parents manages to lose his job on his day off and subsequently ends up chilling with his reprobate pot head friend Smokey played here by the endearingly annoying Chris Tucker. What follows is essentially a series of vignettes of comedic antics that happen to these 2 guys as they sit and chill on their porch on a Friday in Los Angeles.

I had overlooked this film for a long time and is a very enjoyable light hearted watch featuring some very entertaining performances from Ice Cube playing against type here as the somewhat simple Craig and a breakout performance from Chris Tucker as stoner Smokey who would shoot to mega stardom shortly after the release of this movie. This is also F. Gary Grays directorial debut who had mainly done music video work at this point who would eventually bring us The Negotiator, an entry into the Fast and Furious franchise and Straight Outta Compton. A particular highlight for me was the performance turned in by the always intimidating Tom Lister Jr. who serves the purpose of antagonist for the movie as the local bully Deebo who's mode of transport is a tiny stolen bike (evil them tune firmly in tow any time he's on screen).

Don't expect to be intellectually challenged and the plot is arguably a series of vignettes. However, if you can look past that this, what follows is an easy way to just relax, chill and spend time with these two likeable guys on a crazy sunny Friday in LA.