Before “One of Them Days,” I had not been able to find a good comedy movie that made me laugh. Every unexpected turn, witty comment and horribly timed mishap that derails the main character’s life made this movie stand out. I was immersed in the setting of Los Angeles, specifically the “Jungles,” as they call it in the film. This movie tops all other comedies I’ve watched.
The star casting of Keke Palmer and SZA seemed like an attempt to cater the movie to a younger audience. This movie is SZA’s acting debut after being a singer-songwriter, known for her hit songs like “Kill Bill” and “Saturn.” She had admitted to being nervous on camera, but her co-star helped her through her first time acting in a movie. Their characters were portrayed very well, and their chemistry is seen throughout.
In this movie, Dreux, the main character, lives with her best friend, Alyssa, and her boyfriend, Keshawn. The story begins when their harsh landlord, Uche, tries to evict them for repeatedly paying rent late. When Keshawn runs off with the rent money and spends it all, Alyssa and Dreux scramble to come up with enough cash to pay rent on time and get Alyssa to an interview for a promotion — resorting to wild schemes and comedic antics to get money.
They jump from a loan shark company to donating all their blood for cash, but despite something going wrong at every turn, Alyssa and Dreux stick together. Their unbreakable bond mirrors the friendships many teenagers have today — ones that grow stronger through shared struggles. In the movie, their financial stress is overwhelming, but it ultimately reinforces their friendship.
However, the pressure eventually reaches a breaking point. Right before they get evicted, Dreux and Alyssa have a heated argument, both overwhelmed by the disasters of the day. Their insults hit close to home, revealing their true emotions. The acting and chemistry between the two shine in this scene — their dynamic, even in conflict, feels realistic and emotional.
Dreux undergoes significant character development throughout the film. She is a hardworking woman striving for a promotion and a better life. Alyssa, an aspiring artist, struggles with accountability and spends much of the movie trying to fix her mistakes. Their strong bond allows Dreux to help Alyssa while also discovering herself in the process.
The execution of the character development and plot was strong, but a few elements didn’t work for me. The story had the potential for a deeper message. While the theme of friendship is clear, the film could have better connected the events of the day while maintaining that theme. Some of the events that happened were out of the blue, which added to the comedy, but a few could have carried more meaning.
Still, I have never seen a movie capture the essence of true friendship like this one does. Alyssa and Dreux have the perfect ride-or-die (literally) bond. Dreux supports Alyssa’s art career, encouraging her and helping her realize that her art is valuable. When Dreux’s life goes downhill, Alyssa redeems herself by sticking by Dreux’s side, coming up with crazy plans to help.
Despite the chaotic ups and downs of the movie, I would recommend it to CVHS students. I was able to connect it to my own life as a student here, and I believe its message is valuable. At CVHS, there are strong friendships created under high-pressure academic environments, like how Alyssa and Dreux had formed and strengthened their bond under stress.
“Knowing that everyone else is going through the same thing as you is oddly comforting, and friendships definitely contribute to making people less stressed,” Vedika Tandon, a student at CVHS, said.
