In director Lawrence Lamont and producer Issa Rae’s One of Them Days, Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) are two down-on-their-luck best friends and roommates living in Los Angeles, yearning for better lives in the pursuit of their career and artistic endeavors. Luck couldn’t be more absent on the day that Dreux has a business manager interview. Alyssa’s two-timing boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal) steals their rent money the day that it’s due.
As Dreux and Alyssa race against the clock to get their money back, dealing with Keshawn and his furious other girlfriend Berniece (Aziza Scott), what ensues is a hilarious, incisive, unflinching, and hopeful look at this duo’s working-class experience. One of Them Days leaves audiences roiling with laughter with a fundamentally relatable story about dealing with the economic barriers of American society.
Keke Palmer and SZA’s Comedic Duo Completely Sells One of Them Days.
Keke Palmer is a master in virtually whatever she does, especially in One of Them Days. She imbides Dreux with her trademark charisma and charm. Meanwhile, in her debut film role, SZA similarly makes a masterful impression as Alyssa. She plays a hilarious, spiritually-tuned, and offbeat artist among the comedic duo. The chemistry between the leads is impeccable. Palmer and SZA constantly riff off one another and bring depth to screenwriter Syreeta Singleton’s witty words. The two are the film’s main selling point, and overall, they sell it spectacularly.
The supporting cast of One of Them Days is hilarious as well. Ranging from Joshua David Neal’s Keshawn, Janelle James (Abbott Elementary) as a blood drive nurse, Keyla Monterroso Mejia as the somewhat unhinged loan agent, Maude Apatow as the clueless new white neighbor in a Black neighborhood, to Katt Williams as a homeless man protecting our duo from predatory loaners, and more, the laughs keep coming from the variety of characters Dreux and Alyssa encounter. Lamont assembled a great cast for this comedic romp, which includes a lot of bold physical comedy. At the same time, One of Them Days touches on the everyday experiences of all these people in a resonant way.
Even while we’re laughing at Dreux and Alyssa’s escapades, they carry a fundamental undercurrent of sadness. Lamont and Singleton, with their cast, have crafted a bold working-class story about these two Black women consistently screwed over by our predatory economic system. While their credit score is shockingly crummy, it’s also understandable because of the constant challenges society heaps upon them.
One of Them Days Poignantly Illustrates the Challenges Brought Upon by American Society.
As Dreux says poignantly in the film’s latter half, “It shouldn’t have to be this hard.” Undoubtedly, many working-class Americans of virtually any background will relate to her words and the struggles the film consistently displays with unflinching, yet still absurdly hilarious, eyes.
Lamont and cinematographer Ava Berkofsky have a keen eye for detail throughout One of Them Days, ensuring that audiences can capture the finer details of Dreux and Alyssa’s apartment, the latter’s art, the mundanity of the nurse’s office and the loan center, and much more. Their Los Angeles is one that feels lived-in. As the duo races through the city, culturally resonant details of their community stand out in the music, shops, and art displayed. It would have been nice to linger in this atmosphere even more.
One of Them Days is a fast-paced film, befitting its story, but it leaves some characters a bit underexplored. Alyssa’s art or Amin Joseph’s motivations as a last-minute antagonist could have been delved into more deeply. The lack of development leaves a bit on the table you have to imagine for yourself.
One of Them Days is consistently funny, relatable, hard-hitting, and a poignant time at the theaters. With spectacular performances from Keke Palmer, SZA, and the rest of the cast, a great script from Syreeta Singleton, keen direction from Lawrence Lamont, a killer soundtrack, and a relatable-yet-wacky working-class story.
It’ll keep audiences entertained throughout its brisk runtime. Overall, One of Them Days is a great time at the theaters, offering something original and bold.
One of Them Days debuts in theaters everywhere January 17th.
One of Them Days
9/10
TL;DR
One of Them Days will keep audiences entertained throughout its brisk runtime. Overall, it’s a great time at the theaters, offering something original and bold.