Ice Cube’s ‘Friday’ Is Like ‘Leave It to Beaver,’ Director F. Gary Gray Said

There’s a lot for fans to love about the 1995 comedy Friday. After all, the movie features winning performances by Ice Cube and Chris Tucker and marks the directorial debut of F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton). But according to Gray himself, there’s another reason Friday became such a cultural phenomenon. And it has everything to do with family sitcom Leave It to Beaver. Here’s why the director compares his film to that wholesome TV series.

‘Friday’ countered early 1990s films like ‘Boyz n the Hood’

When co-writers Ice Cube and DJ Pooh conceived of Friday, they had a very specific goal in mind. In previous years, the movies made about their hometown, South Central Los Angeles, and others like it focused on violence. Ice Cube himself stars in perhaps the most notable of this run of films, the Oscar-nominated 1991 film Boyz n the Hood. But Friday takes a much different approach to the urban neighborhoods of South California.

Whereas most other movies were tense and harrowing, Gray’s movie is light-hearted and silly even in the face of danger. The friendship between Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Tucker, who beat out stars like Chris Rock for the role) is the heart of the story. But ultimately, a familiarity runs through Friday which makes it an easy film to love.

Director F. Gary Gray compared it to ‘Leave It to Beaver’

In an interview with Hollywood Chicago, Gray explained why Friday has endured. The movie is still remembered and enjoyed decades after its release. It even spawned a meme based on what is seemingly a throwaway line, “Bye, Felisha.” But as Gray told HC, there’s a deeper reason fans connect with Craig and Smokey’s story.

“I think it’s because no matter where you’re from, you can identify with those characters. Everyone can identify with the bully, the neighborhood beauty that you had a crush on, and the trouble-making friend. It’s the same as Leave it to Beaver, if you look at what is familiar.”

Indeed, Gray certainly has a point. Despite the specificity of Craig and Smokey’s neighborhood, certain universal elements are in place. Many of the characters in their community build on certain archetypes. And the chemistry among them all — particularly with Ice Cube and Tucker — keeps the movie rolling along effortlessly.

‘Friday’ remains a classic comedy even decades later

Decades later, fans are still rewatching, quoting, or even discovering Friday. In addition to its initial box office success, the movie remains a perennial classic and a landmark for 1990s comedies. Moreover, the franchise has continued to grow beyond that first film.

Sequels followed in 2000 and 2002. And though Tucker never returned to the franchise after the first Friday, he maintains that he doesn’t regret playing Smokey. On the contrary, the movie kickstarted his movie career, and it wouldn’t be what it is without every single element in place.

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