‘One of Them Days’: Keke Palmer and SZA Are a Hilarious Duo in Issa Rae-Produced Buddy Comedy

Sandra Miska

Keke Palmer and SZA are a pair of roomies who just seem to not get a break in the Issa Rae-produced “One of Them Days,” a hilarious buddy comedy set over the course of one long day in South Los Angeles, that takes a cue from ’90s classics like “Friday.” Palmer is the voice of reason here as Dreux, a Norm’s server who comes home from an overnight shift to learn that she and her oddball bestie, struggling artist Alyssa, are on the verge of eviction and have mere hours to come up with the rent money before their unethical landlord Uche (Rizi Timane) tosses their stuff on the curb. It’s a tough situation, but, thankfully, hilarity ensues.

Director Lawrence Lamont and screenwriter Syreeta Singleton milk humor out of real problems concerning L.A. renters. Dreux and Alyssa’s apartment is literally falling apart, but Uche would happily put them on the street so he can renovate their place and rent it out to a gentrifier like Bethany (aptly-played by Maude Apatow), a friendly but clueless new neighbor. Despite the obvious drawbacks to living in their complex, we do see a vibrant, neighborly community, one that includes Mama Ruth (Vanessa Bell Calloway), a kindly woman who runs a convenience store out of her living room, and Maniac (Patrick Cage), Dreux’s hunky crush who may or may not be a criminal.

The bane of Dreux’s existence these days is Keshawn (Joshua Neal), Alyssa’s slacker boyfriend who she keeps around for his (*ahem*) assets. You-know-what hits the fan when the ladies learn that he stole their rent money. When they go to confront him at the home of his side chick, Bernice (Aziza Scott), an altercation takes place that leaves crazy Bernice hopping mad, and she and Keshawn on the ladies’ tail as they move forward in their increasingly desperate quest to secure their much-needed funds.

Lamont and Singleton do not go easy on Dreux and Alyssa, throwing obstacle after obstacle in their way. There’s a literal bloodbath, a biscuit burglar, and some electrocution thrown in for good measure. The latter leads to an ambulance ride, and the ladies decide they would rather risk jumping out of the moving vehicle rather than pay a hefty bill. Yay for American health care! The stakes also raise throughout the day. At four in the afternoon, Dreux has an interview for a managerial position at Norm’s. The viewer really feels for her, and arguably missing the interview would be a bigger tragedy than eviction, because she has invested so much in her future. But by the third act, the stakes raise to literal life or death.

Throughout this whole ordeal, Dreux and Alyssa’s senses of humor remain intact, and Palmer and SZA have a fun, believable chemistry together. The enduring bond between the gals is also inspiring, even though their friendship ends up being put to the test. Another highlight of the film are the colorful side characters that pop up, including Lucky (Katt Williams), an unhoused individual who is full of wisdom from a life lived full of mistakes. There’s also Kathy (Keyla Monterreoso Meija), a clerk from a payday loan office who is over it. All of this leads to a rather explosive climax that will honestly keep the viewer at the edge of their seat.

“One of Them Days” releases Jan. 17 in theaters nationwide.