Here is a little history lesson: Edward Murphy was a engineer working on an Air Force project who got frustrated when an assistant wired a strain gauge bridge incorrectly for a gravity test. Even though it was wired backwards by accident, Murphy said, "If there is any way to do it wrong, he'll find it". This particular incident is what gave way to what we currently call “Murphy’s Law”: what can wrong, will go wrong. And the characters of Dreux and Alyssa seem to know a lot about that in One of Them Days.
Helmed by noted music director Lawrence Lamont, food server Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) are friends and roommates. Dreux has an interview for a regional manager position, but their day gets turned upside down when they find out that Alyssa’s boyfriend, Keshawn (Joshua David Neal) has spent their rent money, bringing them to the verge of eviction. From there, things go even more haywire on the two, testing them on several fronts.
The performances here are fine for the type of comedy that is on display. Palmer does well as has great chemistry with SZA, and at just under an hour and forty minutes feels about right by not trying to stretch the story too far. There are a few good comedic moments, highlighted by a few cameos from people like the homeless man named “Lucky” (Katt Williams).
However, that is where the upside ends. Plainly and simply put, this is basically a female version of the first Friday film, but it falls very short. Sure, it has a couple of stand-out moments, but not enough to really set it apart from other films like it. Is it as blatant and as bad as the remake of Ghostbusters with its all-female cast: no, but it was not far behind it. That being said, does One of Them Days get the un-coveted “Maze Runner Promise”: also no, but don’t be surprised if it gets an “un-honorable mention” at the end of the year, so I will never watch this film again.
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