The Inkwell
The Inkwell is a 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Matty Rich.[1][2] The story centers on Drew Tate, a 16-year-old boy troubled by accidentally setting his family's house on fire, who is sent by his parents to spend two weeks with relatives at their summer home on Martha's Vineyard in 1976.[1][2] There, amid the affluent black community at Inkwell Beach, Drew navigates family tensions, forms rivalries, and experiences his first romance with a local girl named Brenda.[1][2] Starring Larenz Tate as Drew, Joe Morton as his father Kenny, Suzzanne Douglass as his mother, and Jada Pinkett Smith in an early role as Brenda, the film explores themes of adolescent angst, familial reconciliation, and cultural identity within a middle-class African American setting.[2][3] Produced by Touchstone Pictures, The Inkwell marked Rich's follow-up to his acclaimed debut Straight Out of Brooklyn (1991), shifting from urban grit to a lighter, vacation-based narrative.[1] The picture received mixed critical reception, with praise for its authentic portrayal of black family dynamics and summer leisure but criticism for uneven pacing and a controversial conclusion that some viewed as endorsing inappropriate relationships.[1][4] It holds a 25% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.3/10 average on IMDb from user ratings.[3][2]Development and Pre-Production
Conception and Writing
The screenplay for The Inkwell originated as a semiautobiographical roman à clef penned by novelist Trey Ellis, drawing from his childhood summers spent in the African American resort community of Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard, specifically at Inkwell Beach.[5] Ellis conceived the story as a coming-of-age tale set in 1976, centering on a shy teenager navigating family tensions, first love, and class dynamics among Black vacationers, with an intended tone of bittersweet elegance akin to a "Black Summer of '42."[6] Ellis spent over two years developing the script independently before it was acquired by Touchstone Pictures, a division of The Walt Disney Company, in 1992.[6] He initially envisioned directing the film himself to preserve its nuanced portrayal of intergenerational and socioeconomic nuances within Black communities, but studio executives, including Touchstone president David Hoberman, insisted on an experienced director.[6] In February 1993, independent filmmaker Matty Rich—known for his 1991 Sundance-winning debut Straight Out of Brooklyn—was selected to direct after expressing approval of Ellis's original draft.[6] Rich, however, deemed the script insufficiently reflective of authentic Black cultural experiences and requested revisions to heighten its "Blackness," leading to the involvement of screenwriter Paris Qualles for substantial rewrites approximately one month into pre-production collaboration with Ellis.[6] These changes shifted the tone toward broader comedy, incorporating elements like exaggerated class satire, stereotypical characterizations (such as the protagonist's father consuming Colt 45 malt liquor), and anachronistic 1960s attire, while replacing the original imaginary dalmatian companion with a doll.[6] Disillusioned with the alterations, Ellis took the pseudonym "Tom Ricostronza" in the final credits alongside Qualles.[6]Casting and Crew Assembly
The principal casting for The Inkwell was overseen by director Matty Rich, who held auditions in Los Angeles for key roles following his deal with Touchstone Pictures. Jada Pinkett Smith was cast early as Heather Lee, the romantic interest, and she recommended Larenz Tate for the lead role of Drew Tate after learning of the open audition; Tate, then a relative newcomer with limited credits, read for Rich and secured the part.[7] Supporting roles drew from established performers, including Joe Morton as Drew's father Kenny Tate, Suzzanne Douglas as mother Brenda Tate, Glynn Turman as uncle Spencer Phillips, and Vanessa Bell Calloway as aunt Frances Phillips, providing contrast to Tate's youthful inexperience.[8] Casting director Chemin Sylvia Bernard managed the process, focusing on actors capable of conveying the film's blend of family dynamics and adolescent turmoil.[8] The crew assembly reflected Rich's shift from his low-budget independent debut Straight Out of Brooklyn (1991) to a studio-backed project produced by Giant Pictures for Touchstone, with a budget significantly higher than his prior $450,000 effort. Producers Irving Azoff and Guy Riedel led the team, supported by executive producer Jon Jashni of Giant Pictures, who supervised development; Riedel, serving as line producer, brought experience from films like The Waterdance (1992) to handle logistics.[9] Technical positions were filled by industry veterans, including cinematographer Walt Lloyd, editor Jack P. Lewis, composer Terence Blanchard, and production designer Lester Cohen, ensuring professional execution amid Rich's relative youth at age 22.[8] This structure allowed Rich creative control while leveraging studio resources for the 1976-period piece.[9]Production
Filming Locations and Process
Principal photography for The Inkwell took place primarily in eastern North Carolina, serving as a stand-in for the film's setting of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, to reduce costs associated with location shooting on the island.[10] Key locations included Wilmington, Southport (featuring sites like Caswell Beach at 1000 Caswell Beach Road, Fort Johnston at 203 E. Bay Street, and Franklin Square Park at 130 East West Street), Rocky Mount, and Swansboro.[11] [12] Shooting commenced on July 6, 1993, and wrapped on August 17, 1993, spanning approximately six weeks during the summer to capture the period-appropriate 1976 vacation atmosphere.[13] This schedule aligned with pre-production that began shortly after director Matty Rich signed on in February 1993, marking his transition from independent filmmaking—his debut Straight Out of Brooklyn (1991) had a budget under $500,000—to a studio-backed project under Touchstone Pictures.[9] Rich, then 22 years old, requested script revisions from writers Trey Ellis and Paris Qualles prior to principal photography, addressing initial concerns with the material's tone and authenticity before proceeding.[14] The production emphasized a coming-of-age narrative amid class dynamics in Black American communities, filmed on 35mm with a crew assembled for this higher-budget endeavor compared to Rich's prior work.[8] No major on-set disruptions were reported, though the director's relative inexperience influenced decisions like script adjustments and performance guidance.[4]Technical Aspects and Challenges
Cinematography for The Inkwell was led by John L. Demps Jr., whose experience on films like Street Wars (1982) and Fear of a Black Hat (1993) informed the visual style, featuring fluid camera movements and compositions that captured the summery, communal vibe of the fictionalized Martha's Vineyard setting.[15] The production utilized standard 35mm film stock in color, with principal photography emphasizing wide beach exteriors to evoke period leisure.[2] The original score, composed by Terence Blanchard—who had previously worked on Spike Lee's Jungle Fever (1991) and Malcolm X (1992)—underscored the coming-of-age narrative with nostalgic jazz-inflected cues, complemented by a soundtrack incorporating 1970s tracks like B.T. Express songs and a cover of "Dancing Machine" by Jade.[15] Filming occurred primarily in Wilmington, North Carolina, including sites in Southport, Swansboro, and Rocky Mount, rather than on-location in Martha's Vineyard; this substitution addressed logistical hurdles such as island access and higher costs but required careful set dressing to mimic the Northeast coastal enclave.[12] Period authenticity for the 1976 setting posed additional demands, including sourcing vintage cars, 1970s-era clothing, and hairstyles like afros (often via wigs), which complicated wardrobe and makeup logistics amid a shift from director Matty Rich's prior $450,000 indie to an $8 million studio-backed effort under Disney.[15][16] Key challenges stemmed from Rich's youth (age 22 during production) and sophomore status, leading to critiques of routine and occasionally awkward execution, including difficulties in pacing comedic beats and reining in performances.[8] On-set, extended shoots exacerbated tensions; a major beach sequence ran approximately 18 hours, commencing at 4:30 a.m. and wrapping near dusk, while coordinating up to 300 volunteer extras—far exceeding the planned 100—demanded rigorous enforcement of commitments to avoid drop-offs during reshoots of tighter frames.[17] Rich's improvisational directing style further strained the crew, as unclear plans prompted frequent adjustments amid the larger-scale operation.[17] These factors reflected broader 1990s pressures on emerging Black directors, where initial studio deals often masked systemic barriers to sustained control and resources.[18]Synopsis and Characters
Plot Summary
The Inkwell follows Drew Tate (Larenz Tate), a shy 16-year-old from upstate New York who accidentally sets his family's house on fire and relies on an imaginary friend for companionship, reflecting his emotional struggles.[2][3] In the summer of 1976, his parents, Kenny (Joe Morton) and Brenda (Suzzanne Douglas), take him to Martha's Vineyard for a two-week vacation with affluent relatives, hoping the change will aid his recovery and social development.[1][3] Upon arrival, Drew befriends his outgoing cousin Clinton (Duane Martin) and immerses himself in the vibrant social scene of the island's upper-class Black community, centered around lively parties at the Inkwell beach.[1][3] He navigates adolescent challenges, including rivalries and family tensions, while developing romantic interests in two women: the sweet Dru (Jada Pinkett) and the more flirtatious Vanessa (Aomniya Leslie).[3] The story explores themes of coming-of-age, class dynamics within Black American society, and personal growth amid familial expectations.[19][1]Cast and Performances
The principal cast of The Inkwell features Larenz Tate in the lead role as Drew Tate, a socially awkward 16-year-old grappling with guilt over accidentally burning down his family's home.[1] Supporting roles include Joe Morton as Drew's father Kenny Tate, a former Black Panther with ideological tensions in the family; Suzzanne Douglas as his mother Brenda Tate; and Glynn Turman and Vanessa Bell Calloway as the affluent relatives Spencer and Frances Phillips, whose Martha's Vineyard home hosts the vacation.[20] Jada Pinkett Smith portrays Dru, the confident object of Drew's affection, while Morris Chestnut plays Hogan, Dru's philandering boyfriend, and Adrienne-Joi Johnson appears as Heather Lee.[21]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Larenz Tate | Drew Tate |
| Joe Morton | Kenny Tate |
| Suzzanne Douglas | Brenda Tate |
| Glynn Turman | Spencer Phillips |
| Vanessa Bell Calloway | Frances Phillips |
| Jada Pinkett Smith | Dru |
| Morris Chestnut | Hogan |
| Adrienne-Joi Johnson | Heather Lee |