The Inkwell

Play trailer

The Inkwell

R

Released Apr 22, 1994

1h 52m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

22%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Drew (Larenz Tate) is a quiet 16-year-old still recovering from the trauma of accidentally burning his own house down. Drew's parents, Kenny (Joe Morton) and Brenda (Suzzanne Douglas), take the family to Martha's Vineyard, Mass., to vacation with their wealthy relatives for the summer. On the island, Drew discovers an upper-class black community that centers on parties held at a beach called the Inkwell. There, he falls for two different women (Jada Pinkett, Adrienne-Joi Johnson).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Anderson Jones

Detroit Free Press

Rich directs an OK script with all the grace and subtlety of a TV sitcom director. At times, it appears he doesn't realize he had the money and time to polish scenes.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 26, 2022

Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Rich is still learning as a filmmaker, and he needs to tell his actors to dial down. But he knows how to tell a story. And he knows how to get big laughs, too.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Messy and tawdry, this ambitious film proved to be Matty Rich's sophomore jinx.

Rated: C-

Aug 8, 2007

Full Review

Neil Martin

Palo Alto Weekly

Rated: 2.5/4

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 27, 2002

Full Review

Read all reviews

Dinos K

one of the worse and most silly movie I've ever seen

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This was a pretty solid movie from beginning to end. I'd say it ranks as a cultural-classic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie was boring. Not the best acting. And too much information was missing, making some scenes confusing and not making sense.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

the was a great movie played by Lorenzo Tate. A dynamic actor!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I really enjoyed this movie for some reason. It's one of my favorites. I think it's a great flick; funny, romantic, & entertaining..I love how Larenz tate's character transforms throughout the movie...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great coming of Age story

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Matty Rich

Director

Larenz Tate

Drew Tate

Joe Morton

Kenny Tate

Suzzanne Douglas

Brenda Tate

Glynn Turman

Spencer Phillips

Vanessa Bell Calloway

Francis Phillips

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

75%

66%

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion

Watchlist

Mumford

58%

65%

Mumford

Watchlist

Down and Out in Beverly Hills

77%

52%

Down and Out in Beverly Hills

Watchlist

Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo

23%

42%

Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo

Watchlist

The Ref

74%

73%

The Ref

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Weekly Ketchup: "Transformers," "Indiana Jones" rumors, “The Incredible Hulk” and More!

Fox Searchlight Digs the "Phat Girlz"

View more photos

Synopsis

Drew (Larenz Tate) is a quiet 16-year-old still recovering from the trauma of accidentally burning his own house down. Drew's parents, Kenny (Joe Morton) and Brenda (Suzzanne Douglas), take the family to Martha's Vineyard, Mass., to vacation with their wealthy relatives for the summer. On the island, Drew discovers an upper-class black community that centers on parties held at a beach called the Inkwell. There, he falls for two different women (Jada Pinkett, Adrienne-Joi Johnson).

Director: Matty Rich
Producer: Irving Azoff, Guy Riedel
Screenwriter: Trey Ellis, Paris Qualles
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 22, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.9M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Stereo

Most Popular at Home Now