They say friends are the family we choose – and just like family, they have a tendency to get on our nerves from time to time, as is the case with any kind of relationship, with the most meaningful usually being those that are built from a combination of love and frustration. This idea is central to One of Them Days, in which Lawrence Lamont crafts one of the most wonderfully endearing portraits of modern friendship by telling the story of Dreux and Alyssa, who could not be more opposite as far as personality, ambition, and overall behaviour goes – but yet they’re the closest of friends, primarily because there are aspects that they both which may be different, but yet work together beautifully. This is put to the test when they realise that Alyssa’s deadbeat boyfriend stole their rent money, and they only have a matter of hours before they are forcibly evicted from their apartment, which proves to be an opportunity for the pair to work on their friendship (which has been growing increasingly strained recently, particularly since Dreux has her sights set on a brighter future, while Alyssa is more focused on her free-spirited, juvenile existence), since nothing brings people together like the pressure of a life-and-death situation, something that becomes increasingly more of a reality as they attempt to scrounge together whatever money they can to prevent being forced out of their home. Hilarious and irreverent in a way that feels earnest but profoundly moving at the same time, One of Them Days is a tremendous film – and as the first feature screenplay for Syreeta Singleton, it may have some slight imperfections as far as its structure goes, and not all of the jokes hit as well as they should, but the film is nonetheless wickedly entertaining and has many tremendous components that keep us enthralled and captivated from its very first moments, right until the end, everything in between being a wholehearted delight and the foundation for a truly terrific little comedy.

Certain narrative archetypes serve as the bread-and-butter for several different genres, and one of the most reliable tropes we find in many comedy films is the odd couple scenario, in which two extremely different individuals are forced to set aside the aspects that divide them to come to some common solution, whether its something as simple as just living together or accomplishing something slightly more intense. However, the core of these stories is almost always going to revolve around friendship in some form or another, which is precisely why we often find ourselves drawn to these narratives, as they contain something much more profound while doing it all through the lens of something broader and more upbeat, even if there is a slightly more tender core at the heart of the narrative. Friendship is a fascinating theme to explore since it is something that we all experience in various ways, and yet it can never be defined as a singular experience. In the case of One of Them Days, the focus is exploring a lifelong friendship that has become comfortable to the point where it is stale and almost boring – the two leads are simply going through the motions, and while they enjoy the other’s presence, it isn’t something that necessarily excites them anymore, especially since its quite clear that they’re growing apart by the day, pursuing their separate paths and struggling to maintain the spark that defined them previously. This is what the film is intent on exploring, which it does with such precision and incredible charm, we can’t deny the impact left by these ideas, which feel extremely entertaining but also shed insight into a relationship that is changing – and while this is not necessarily a negative, it does require those involved to make the necessary adjustments, which may not always be particularly easy if we can’t see the benefits of such immense changes.

A film like One of Them Days is always going to hinge on the actors and how they work together, and it can be a challenge to find the right performers to bring these characters to life. There are only two ways to approach selecting a pair to lead such a film – either reunite people who have a tried-and-tested chemistry or take an enormous risk in choosing the least likely pair. In this case, the latter is applicable, with the film being the acting debut of SZA, who has already established herself as one of the most unique and gifted musicians of her generation but who suddenly emerges as an unexpectedly talented actor as well. She’s paired with Keke Palmer, who has used her in-born charisma to build a career that has transcended the medium and made her an effortlessly magnetic presence. Both of the leads in this film are beyond charismatic, but in ways that are starkly different – Palmer has a more grounded, cerebral sense of humour, while SZA is the more free-spirited, offbeat of the duo, with Singleton crafting the film with close attention to the broad archetypes of the straight man (in this case woman) and comedic foil, bringing out the best in two actors that make this film work solely because of their chemistry and willingness to take risks, working out in both of their favours, as this is yet another opportunity to showcase their talents. The rest of the film is filled to the brim with memorable comedic actors – Katt Williams steals every scene he is in as the mysterious homeless man who acts as something of a spiritual guide to the two leads (albeit against their will), while Janelle James, Joshua Neal, Aziza Scott and Keyla Monterroso Mejia all have outrageously funny moments all of their own, making the ensemble akin to a Greek chorus, and where absolutely any of these characters could inspire their bespoke film centred around their experiences. It’s a wonderful achievement to make a film in which the focus is not only on the leads but on the broader ecosystem of characters.

At its foundation, One of Them Days is a charming film, but one that does have the added challenge of being both funny and heartfelt, which is not always easy when it comes to broad comedies, as striking the right balance can be a laborious effort, and ultimately an enormous risk considering we don’t always know what is going to work on screen. In the case of this film, the focus is clear, which gives Lamont and Singleton the chance to develop the humour in a way that feels at least somewhat authentic and compelling. The broad jokes may not always work, especially in the earlier portions where the script makes use of that hackneyed technique of providing exposition through a flurry of very obvious jokes as if the audience is not aware of these clear efforts to spoon-fed us the fundamental information. However, it’s the more detailed, smaller jokes that we don’t notice at first that leave the most profound impression, where something as subtle as a facial expression or throwaway line of dialogue leaves us howling. The more intricately woven nature of this screenplay is where the film shines, and we find that it is unexpectedly smarter than we may have imagined at first, which only creates a more memorable atmosphere throughout the film. It is also accompanied by a genuine sensitivity to the more heartfelt moments, which makes a big difference in the relationship we form with this film. Many comedies struggle when it comes to handling their emotions, being either overwrought or flippant, depending on the material – and while One of Them Days is certainly more of a film where the focus is on the exploits of these eccentric characters, there is a lingering sense of complexity that sits right at the heart of the film, making it so much more engaging. Never once does the film feel heavy-handed, and even in the latter portions, where the usual “separation and reconciliation” occurs, we find ourselves very much engaged with the narrative on a much more profound level.

One of Them Days is an absolute delight, an upbeat and charming comedy about ordinary people who find themselves in a bit of a crisis and who have to work hard to overcome certain challenges, with hilarious results coming about in the process. It’s outrageously funny and is filled with well-crafted characters that are brought to life by a terrific ensemble, all of which work wonderfully together to create this kind of memorable, engaging film that carries a sense of genuine sentimentality under the guise of a hilariously irreverent buddy comedy in which the concept of friendship and the challenges they are likely to undergo are not neglected, but instead form the firm foundation of the narrative, which is informed beautifully by the themes situated right at the heart of the narrative. Built from the exceptional work being done by the actors, with the film being primarily a comedy about ordinary people finding themselves in a precarious situation, it’s an absolute triumph and one of the funniest films of the year. It does help that there is something quite subtle about how it embraces certain themes, and its heart and humour are more than enough to keep us wholeheartedly engaged, leading to a profoundly funny, meaningful work that is as insightful as it is nuanced, both of which serving as the foundation for a genuinely funny, engaging work of comedy that knows exactly how to capture the audience’s attention.