One of Them Daysis the debut directorial feature from Lawrence Lamont, and it’s already one of the most unforgettable movies of the year so far. The film centers around two young women named Alyssa and Dreux, played by SZA and Keke Palmer respectively, whose rent money is stolen by the former’s lazy boyfriend. As they race against the clock to make up the missing money before they’re evicted from their apartment, the friends’ responsibilities soon catch up with them.One of Them Dayshas performed excellently at the box office, proving that there’s still a place for adult comedies like this.
More than anything,One of Them Daysfeels like a film that’s clearly inspired by mature comedies from the ‘80s and ‘90s, using likable characters and dark humor to explore some genuinely powerful themes. In this case, it’s the importance of community and friendship that Lamont explores through his debut feature, using the backdrop of this all-black community in Los Angeles to comment on the cultural divide in the city.One of Them Dayshas been compared to Tyler Perry’s work, butthere are several other projects and filmmakers whom Lamont likely drew inspiration from.
Starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence in two of the most entertaining roles of their careers, Ted Demme’sLifeis a classic comedy that features much of the same chaotic energy asOne of Them Days.The story centers around two friends who are convicted of crimes they didn’t commitand must find a way to prove their innocence while serving an extended sentence in prison. It’s a film that effortlessly balances the line between comedy and drama, dealing both with the unbreakable power of friendship and the endless legal injustices thrust upon minorities in America.
One Of Them Days Review: Keke Palmer & SZA’s Buddy Comedy Is Silly Fun & Reminds Me How Much I’ve Missed Movies Like This
One of Them Days is fun and absurd. Keke Palmer and SZA are great together and it’s their chemistry and interactions that largely work.
WhileTagcertainly has a bad reputation among those who consider its playful storytelling to be boring and messy, there’s certainly something charming about the way it doesn’t care about being something groundbreaking or innovative -the film is happy being a simple buddy comedy, and it does a good job. The film tells the story of a group of friends who play an extended group of tag across thirty years, making their moves at the most unexpected and inconvenient of moments.Tagis an underrated comedythat deserves more credit for its lighthearted atmosphere and storytelling confidence.
Above all else,One of Them Daysis a story about black communities in America and how society has a tendency to treat people differently depending on where they’re from and who they know. However, much likeWhite Chicks,it explores these inherently political ideas in a totally ridiculous way, making fun of the entire thing with slapstick comedy and goofy jokes. This movie follows two black FBI agents who go undercover as white women to protect two friends from a potential abduction.
There are countless similarities betweenOne of Them Daysand the early works of Spike Lee, butShe’s Gotta Have Itmight just be the most fitting comparison.Both films use an effective blend of comedy and romanceto explore themes as poignant as female autonomy and toxic masculinity - all from the simple framework of a by-the-book rom-com. The film boasts some of Lee’s most personal and intimate writing to date, with a lead performance from Tracy Camilla Johns that’s endlessly endearing. It’s rarely considered amongSpike Lee’s best movies, but it certainly deserves to be.
There’s a spirit of freedom and independence inJunothat can be felt throughoutOne of Them Days, even if the specifics of their narratives are very different. Jason Reitman’s foundational coming-of-age drama follows a young girl named Juno MacGuff who navigates the obstacles of teenage pregnancy with her socially awkward boyfriend at her side.It’s a very lighthearted and charming film about female empowermentthat leans heavily on the comedic rapport between Elliot Page and Michael Cera to succeed - much likeOne of Us Daysdoes with SZA and Palmer.
One of the best-written aspects ofOne of Them Daysis the clashing dynamic between the two lead characters and their newly arrived white neighbor. It’s only a minor aspect of the story, but it does a great job of exploring how different communities can bond over a shared space, and the challenges that come with that. These themes are exactly whatDear White Peopleis about -a powerful dark comedy that centers around four black students surrounded by white classmatesat a prestigious college. Thecharacters areDear White People’s biggest strength, as everybody is so well-written and performed to perfection.
The most exciting part ofOne of Them Daysthat’s rarely seen in modern comedies is how free-flowing and unscripted it feels; there are plenty of scenes that exist only to display the hilarious dynamic between these two friends, and that really creates a bond between the characters and the audience. This is something thatPlan Balso does excellently.The film centers around two young girls who have 24 hours to hunt down an emergency contraception pillin rural South Dakota, taking them on a wild goose chase of unwanted encounters along the way.
Superbadis regularly cited as one of thebest comedy movies ever made, and there’s a good reason for it. The film was so ahead of its time with its realistic, layered portrayal of young adulthood that audiences could easily relate to, with the comedic dynamic between Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse working wonders to make these figures seem three-dimensional.One of These Daysadopts a very similar approach,placing its characters at the heart of the narrative and simply letting their lives play outin a natural and entertaining way.
Game Nightis arguablythe most underrated comedy of the past few years, with its studio-manufactured veneer concealing a much richer, well-written story that sucks audiences in from the very first minute. The narrative centers around a group of friends who construct elaborate game nights that take them on scavenger hunts through the city, but when their game is intercepted by a very real band of criminals, the friends struggle to separate reality from their own pastime. With excellent performances from Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman and Jesse Plemons,Game Nightis brimming with hilarious scenes that all land perfectly.
As mentioned, Lawrence Lamont’s directorial style is very reminiscent of Spike Lee’s early works - so it’s no surprise thatDo The Right Thingis among the first projects that come to mind. This groundbreaking comedy is perhapsthe most genre-defining project of the 1980s, using an ensemble cast of hilarious characters and a free-flowing script to immerse the audience in this specific moment - one summer day in a Brooklyn neighborhood.
What Happened To Spike Lee’s Mookie After Do The Right Thing?
Spike Lee’s pizza delivery guy Mookie first appeared in his 1989 film Do The Right Thing, but he’s resurfaced in several other works since.
What’s so special about Spike Lee’s writing and directing is that it feels so natural and spontaneous, creating the illusion that audiences are truly spending these hours with Mookie, Sal, Pino and Tina as their lives play out with effortless humor. This is something that Lamont clearly drew inspiration from inOne of Them Days, with Palmer and SZA’s characters occupying a very similar space.
One of Them Days
Cast
One of Them Days, directed by Lawrence Lamont, follows best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa as they scramble to prevent eviction after discovering Alyssa’s boyfriend has squandered their rent money. This comedic adventure highlights their desperate and humorous attempts to save their home and friendship.
