Shadows on the Wall | One of Them Days

One of Them Days

dir Lawrence Lamont
scr Syreeta Singleton
prd Issa Rae, Deniese Davis, Sara Rastogi, James Lopez, Poppy Hanks
with Keke Palmer, SZA, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams, Maude Apatow, Patrick Cage, Gabrielle Dennis, Aziza Scott, Joshua David Neal, Janelle James, Amin Joseph
release US 17.Jan.25,
UK 7.Mar.25
25/US TriStar 1h37

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A mix of warm character humour and wacky slapstick, this comedy follows the usual buddy-movie structure, tracing a momentous day for two impulsive but likeable young women. But because this is such a familiar story, there is never any doubt that things will work out in the end. So the fun comes from the nuttiness along the way, as well as what the movie says about friendship and community.

In summery Los Angeles, Dreux (Palmer) is hoping for a promotion to management so she can stop working night shifts as a waitress. Her interview is this afternoon, but she's about to be evicted because her fast-talking friend Alyssa (SZA) has lost their rent. So now Dreux is running around with Alyssa trying to find quick cash, chased by the furious Berniece (Scott). Dreux also has a chance to connect with a guy (Cage) she's had her eye on, even though he's a bit sketchy. And on this day, it's just one thing after another.

Composed of mini-adventures and unexpected encounters, the narrative spirals through a series of disasters that continually disrupt Dreux's quest to get her life moving forward. Of course, all of this frantic craziness strains her friendship with the free-spirited Alyssa. And as things get even worse, they'll need more than the rent if they want to survive until tomorrow. Watching everything align against these women is amusing, even if it's as wildly contrived as the expected happy conclusion.

The superb Palmer and SZA have so much chemistry together that we can't believe it when their friendship falls apart over a feeble argument. These are smart women with big personalities, and the actors' charisma wins us over. Meanwhile, the actors around them are gifted scene-stealers, with notably hilarious turns from both Scott and James (as a distracted blood bank nurse). Cage brings some charm to his role, as does Neal as Alyssa's loser boyfriend.

By the time a local gangster (Joseph) goes on the rampage, it has become impossible to take much of anything about this movie seriously, and writer Singleton kind of gives up trying to do anything either unexpected or properly meaningful. But the depiction of this Black community is surprisingly textured, with some sharp edges amid the warmth and goofiness. So the film earns enough good will to keep us watching, laughing and, most importantly, caring about these two women.

themes, language, violence 24.Feb.25

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