One Of Them Days: The Love Letter To Classic Black Films We All Needed.
by nxus Contributor, Miss JLH (IG: @wedrinkwine_)
What’s Good Y’all! The year is just getting started and already the content is so good! If you haven’t gone to the movies yet to see One of them Days, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and Sza, is about two best friends and roommates, Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), who discover Alyssa's boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact. This movie is Rated R and it is 1 hour and 37 mins long.
The reviews are in and this movie is a hit with audiences! I thoroughly enjoyed it myself.
While this is not Keke’s first rodeo starting in a film, this is the first time for Sza and it was really magical to see their dynamic onscreen. I honestly didn’t know how the pair was going to work but it worked out so well.
The movie was very reminiscent of the 90’s giving you all the flavor and flare of a Robert Townshend film mixed with Friday. The two female protagonists and heroines go through random shenanigans to solve a problem. The problem in itself is beyond relatable; I mean, even if you never experienced eviction, you might know someone who has, and the experience is gut-wrenching, especially when you know it’s not 100% your fault, as the movie portrays.
So not only does the movie portray a relatable topic, but it also highlights some real-life issues many of our communities face today.
Now, this is the part where I start to reveal some spoilers within the movie, so if you haven’t seen it yet, I suggest you stop here and get your ticket, then circle back!
Image Courtesy of SONY and HOORAE Media
Ok, so within the movie, Dreux and Alyssa welcome in their new white neighbor; unbeknownst to them, their new neighbor also has a very updated apartment compared to their run-down two-bedroom they have been occupying for some time now. Not only does the movie highlight the extent renters will go to attract white buyers/renters to the hood, but it also shows how tenants do not know their rights when in these situations; a lot of the issues Dreux and Alyssa had within their apartment were rental violations, along with the landlord refusing to give them the proper eviction process. Now, in the state of California, the process is a little different than what I’m used to, but nonetheless, please understand that no matter where you live as a tenant, if you are renting, you still have rights! To learn about your rights in your state, please see my link below.
Last but certainly not least, this movie is Black BLACK ya’ll! From the director ( Lawerence Lamont) to the producers (Issa Rae, Sara Rastogi, Deniese Davis, Poppy Hanks, and James Lopez) and almost the entire cast! Issa Rae produced the movie, while Keke and her mother, Sharon Palmer, are credited as executive producers. Lawrence Lamont directed the film, while Syreeta Singleton wrote its screenplay; both previously collaborated with Rae, on her Max comedy series Rap Sh!t. I love how Issa puts on for LA, and most importantly, I love that our stories are being told and portrayed by the US.
More of this please! 📣
Issa Rae and Lawerence Lamont Image Courtesy of Geeks of Color
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that One Of Them Days is the first Black Woman buddy comedy since BAPS according to Essence magazine.
With a killer opening weekend, I wonder if we will get a sequel? Whether we do or not, I highly recommend you check One Of Them Days ASAP! ASAP actually!
Box Office Numbers as of January 25th:
RUN IT UP! If the Lion King and gross in the 100 Millions, so can this film. We have power to have more stories being told by us on the big screen.
Contributor Bio:
What's Good, y'all!! My name is Jasmine, but I go by Miss JLH. I am a writer, published poet, content creator, and podcaster. I am a featured writer for Lipsticknlyricsz, with my primary focus on R&B. I am also rebuilding my brand, We Don’t Sip Tea, We Drink Wine. I am passionate about reflecting on our history and telling our stories. For US By US.
Instagram | @wedrinkwine_
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