In an era of sequels, big-budget blockbusters and celebrity star takeovers, “One of Them Days” stands out from its competitors. While its leads — Keke Palmer and SZA — are by no means underground artists, they stray from the big names often at the heart of Hollywood productions. It is this departure from the mainstream that makes “One of Them Days” such a refreshing and charming watch.
The energizing comedy follows polar opposite roommates Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) as they scramble to pull together $1,500 to pay their first month’s rent. A simple plot line is quickly flavored with a hilarious series of events. Over the course of 12 hours, almost everything seems to go wrong. Dreux donates nearly a body’s worth of blood, Alyssa gets electrocuted and a gangster tries to kill them both, just to name a few.
Watching any plot this wild would be entertaining on its own, but it’s Palmer and SZA’s chemistry that makes “One of Them Days” memorable. As always, Palmer is funny, bold and intensely believable. It’s not hard to love any performance she gives.
In her debut movie role, SZA rises to the occasion, giving a sweet and earnestly humorous performance as Alyssa — a spiritual aspiring painter who keeps falling for her boyfriend’s schemes. Together, the pair resembles any chaotic best friendship. Even when you know what’s coming, it’s hard to look away from the duo. It is hard to imagine actors who could’ve executed these roles better.
Apart from the leads, “One of Them Days” has a cast and crew consisting of some of Hollywood’s funniest Black stars. The film was produced by Issa Rae, an award-winning actress, writer and producer. In addition, comedian-actors Lil Rel Howery, Janelle James and Katt Williams all make small but memorable appearances throughout the film.
Even with its focus on comedy and hijinks, writer Syreeta Singleton’s script is incredibly raw and honest. The jokes and lighter moments feel genuine and true to the characters, and the more tense, climactic moments build naturally from the film’s beginning. There’s even a bit of a romance — which is skillfully played for both comedy and drama — that brings the film’s outlandish events back down to earth.
The high-drama, low-stakes comedy plot is a film staple, and even had a resurgence in the late 2010s (“Tag” and “Good Boys” come to mind). These films are often glossed over, subject to straight-to-streaming releases and the depths of Netflix’s endless backlog. But “One of Them Days” breaks from this trend and deserves more credit than it has received.
As much as major studios may ignore it, the film is a love letter to the unwritten, misrepresented parts — and people — of Los Angeles. Director Lawrence Lamont depicts South LA with a kindness and honesty that is not usually portrayed in film. While the lives of Dreux and Alyssa are unrealistically hectic, the film’s insistence on community brings a broad sense of hopefulness and realism that buddy comedies often struggle to achieve. Combine that with its charmingly witty cast and extravagant plot, and it’s easy to see why “One of Them Days” is worth the watch.
Gabriella is a senior from Los Angeles, concentrating in English, Modern Culture and Media, and Literary Arts. If she’s not at the movies, you can find her coaching the Dodgers from her dorm, plotting her future Big Brother win or perfecting her chocolate chip cookie recipe.