The Inkwell

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The Inkwell

R

Released Apr 22, 1994

1h 52m

Comedy

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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).

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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

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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: D+

Sep 7, 2011

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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

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

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

Rated: C-

Aug 8, 2007

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Neil Martin

Palo Alto Weekly

Rated: 2.5/4

May 20, 2003

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Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 27, 2002

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Dinos K

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

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

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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

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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

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Audience Member

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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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

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Audience Member

Great coming of Age story

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Matty Rich

Director

Larenz Tate

Drew Tate

Joe Morton

Kenny Tate

Suzzanne Douglas

Brenda Tate

Glynn Turman

Spencer Phillips

Vanessa Bell Calloway

Francis Phillips

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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

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