Weekend Watch: One Of Them Days
Money troubles
Image Credit: Sony Pictures
Welcome to the latest edition of Weekend Watch, where I recommend (or occasionally warn against) movies or TV shows I’ve been checking out. This week, Keke Palmer and SZA need to find rent. Follow James on Twitter: @jamwhite, Threads/Instagram: @jammerwhite and Blue Sky: @jammerwhite.bsky.social
In an era when so many bemoan the decline of comedy films, it’s almost reassuring to see something that is looking to do little more than straightforwardly entertain you. And it doesn’t hurt that it boasts the considerable comedy chops of Keke Palmer.
The Nope and Hustlers actor has been putting out good performances since her younger days, and here she’s the (relatively) calm central focus of two roommates and besties who have to scramble when a wayward boyfriend spends their rent money on his latest entrepreneurial gamble.
One Of Them Days follows ambitious, hard-working restaurant server Dreux (Palmer), who suffers through long shifts at chain restaurant Norms because she’s dreaming of managing her own –– and has plans in place. Roommate and pal Alyssa, meanwhile (another fine comic turn, this time from musician SZA, who plays well against Palmer) is largely coasting, trying to turn her art into a career.
The film, produced by Insecure’s Issa Rae, written by Syreeta Singleton and directed by Lawrence Lamont, spins plenty of comedy material from the basic ticking-clock premise of friends whose relationship is put to the test when they must scramble to gather funds. Cue a procession of oddball characters including gangsters, homeless prophets and sarcastic loan officers, and situations such as the women trying to retrieve an expensive pair of sneakers from a power line (you can guess what happens).
It’s good natured, wacky and a portrait of a community that’s warm even as it’s silly. Will it change the game for cine-comedy? Absolutely not. Is it trying to? Also no. But it’ll make you chuckle and make you wonder why Palmer isn’t in more movies.
One Of Them Days is in US cinemas now. A UK release date is unavailable at time of writing.