SZA and Keke Palmer navigate a hectic 24 hours trying to survive the everyday challenges of life
By AALIYAH ESPAÑOL-RIVAS — arts@theaggie.org
If you think you’re having a bad day, think again after watching “One of Them Days.” The film, starring actress Keke Palmer and singer-songwriter Solána Imani Rowe, also known as SZA, follows the story of two roommates, Dreux and Alyssa, as they try to get through the first day of the month.
Dreux, a hard-working waitress, has one objective for the first of the month: ace her job interview. Alyssa, a freelance artist, has a different task: turn in the rent to the landlord. As simple as it may seem, both goals are seemingly unachievable when they find out that Alyssa’s boyfriend Keshawn, who leeches off of the two, did not turn in that month’s rent. Instead, he pockets the money for his t-shirt business, “Cucci,” and escapes to live with another woman.
Following the news, Dreux and Alyssa’s landlord alerts them they have eight hours to turn in the rent before they face eviction. Moving at hyperspeed, the film takes twists and turns as the two race against the clock to find money and turn in rent before 6 p.m. And if it wasn’t enough, the two are also getting chased by Bernice, Keshawn’s new woman, who Dreux and Alyssa had embarrassed in front of the entire neighborhood.
Both Palmer and SZA gave an incredibly comedic experience, but the film also does a great job of making social commentary on the many challenges the Black community faces. Dreux and Alyssa live in “The Jungle,” a run-down apartment complex in Los Angeles, with a strict landlord who kicks out anyone and everyone. But when a younger, white woman moves in, their landlord makes renovations solely for her apartment, neglecting the other apartments with longtime residents that have fire hazards, holes in the ceiling and broken air conditioning.
The film also highlights gentrification in many ways, showing the neglect both the Black and Hispanic communities in Los Angeles face as they are pushed out to make way for affluent communities through their homes, neighborhoods and stores.
Moreover, throughout the entire journey of trying to obtain the rent money, Dreux and Alyssa are constantly denied opportunities due to their background. When they apply for a loan, the agent laughs in their face about their credit score, resulting in the two donating blood to make a few hundred dollars. And when the blood gets mishandled, the two eventually resort to selling a pair of shoes found on a powerline.
In the climax of the movie, it seems all has worked out for the two, with Dreux doing well at her job interview and the two having obtained the rent money — but this is short lived. It all comes crashing down in a matter of seconds when Bernice finally catches the two and starts a fight in front of the Dreux’s job interviewers. Beaten up and robbed of both the rent money and the position, Dreux and Alyssa accept defeat and make their way home — or rather to their apartment belongings on the side of the street.
While all hope may be lost, Dreux and Alyssa soon learn that although their background may hinder their opportunities at times, they are both strong individuals who can, and will, rise above it all, even if it means dodging a couple of bullets — literally.
“One of Them Days” is more than just a fun, fast-paced comedy. It tells the story of two strong Black women who do more than just make space for themselves but also advocate for their community. If you’re interested in checking out the film, “One of Them Days” is available for viewing at the Davis Regal Holiday Theater, and you can access showtimes on their website.
Written by: Aaliyah Español-Rivas — arts@theaggie.org
