As the story unfolded and the comedic moments started to hit, there was something very familiar about this movie. And then, when comic/actor Katt Williams shows up, it confirmed exactly what I suspected. One of Them Days is the unofficial offspring of the Friday movies. I am not saying that the film exists in the same universe, but if a sequel gets made, the filmmakers could easily make a retcon.
Now, this observation/realization is not necessarily a criticism. At the same time, it isn’t necessarily a compliment either. I was willing to let the filmmakers tell their comedic story, and I accepted with an open mind and heart. However, I start deducting points when I can see the characters and story follow the nearly exact formula. One of Those Days can be a great time with two hilarious, lovable leads and enough amusing moments. I just wish the filmmakers hadn’t taken such a predictable and obvious approach.
Keke Palmer stars as a Dreux, a down-on-her-luck, but hardworking young woman trying to find the road to success. Dreux has accrued some valuable experience working as a server for a restaurant in her neighborhood. She gets an opportunity at advancement when she scores an interview with some company heads looking for entrepreneurs wanting to open new franchises. Of course, the interview would have to be scheduled the day she and her roommate, Alyssa (Sza), are about to be evicted for being behind on her rent.
As it turns out, Dreux’s ne’er do well best friend lost the rent money to her deadbeat, cheating boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal), who “borrowed” it for another one of his money-making schemes. While trying to get the money back from Keshawn, Dreux and Alyssa run afoul of more people, making their day even more stressful. It is up to the BFFs to put their heads together, while keeping their heads low and putting their differences aside to save their apartment, stay alive and score the franchise.
Overall, I had a lot of fun with One of Them Days. Most of the jokes work, Keke and Sza have great chemistry together as a comic duo, and the movie also features a fun assortment of comedic cameos and co-stars. Again, I wish that screenwriter Syreeta Singleton and director Lawrence Lamont had put more effort into developing a plot that set itself apart from the movies that inspired it. Still, I recommend One of Them Days as either a discount movie at the theater or a streaming rental at home. If successful, I can easily see this movie launching a fun franchise of installments. However, they will need to get more creative with their story development.