⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Rated R | 119 minutes

Keke Palmer and Sza team up in a film that seems, on the surface, to be a quick, cheap comedy that was manufactured and pushed out in the doldrums of January, but in reality, it’s a sharp and witty laugh factory with the message that friendships can be tighter bonds than siblings.

Producer Issa Rae found chemistry magic between Keke and Sza. In her feature film debut, Sza proves she has comedy chops and keen timing. The acting never felt forced and the audience responded in kind. Our screening audience became quickly invested in the film thanks to its initial warmth set by cheery waitress named Dreux (pronounced Drew) played by Keke Palmer. We see she’s ambitious and charming with sights set outside the doors of her 24-hour diner. Then we meet her bumbling roommate Alyssa (Sza) who even through her ridiculous every-friend-with-hair-on-fire and makes-terrible-relationship-choices faults, is loyal to her best friend no matter the situation.

The film builds a loose plot centered around “The Jungle” of Los Angeles where Dreux and Alyssa live together with Alyssa’s apparently-homeless boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal). Their slumlord Uche pays them a visit to inform them they haven’t paid that month’s rent. Uche gives them until 6pm to pay it or face eviction. Now, the world knows eviction doesn’t work that way – especially in L.A. – but it’s fine to let that detail slide for the raucous trip we’re about to go on as Dreux and Alyssa team up to raise the money needed for their rent.

Along their incredulous journey, they meet a star-studded list of cameos with talent like a purposely over-acting Lil Rel Howery to a delightfully dim medical assistant played by Janelle James. One of the most memorable supporting characters is that of Lucky, played by an increasingly unhinged Katt Williams. We also meet a guy by the name of Maniac, that gets Dreux all hot and bothered.

By the way, raising the rent money isn’t going to be that easy. You see, Dreux’s ambitious outlook on life has a potentially life-changing job interview at 4:30 that she can’t miss. So they *have* get that money and paid Uche before then so she can still make her appointment. Of course, we know it’s not going to be that easy.

There are lots of laughs throughout the film, many due to the Lucy & Ethel antics that Dreux and Alyssa get up to. Some laughs are more subtle, however. One particular sequence finds our best friends fighting and leaving each other… walking away. We are treated to some truly dramatic long shots of Keke and Sza that give way to one of the funniest visuals in the film.

It’s interesting to note that the Hollywood premiere of the film was delayed due to the ongoing wildfire catastrophe in Los Angeles, however, the film itself features a fire as hinted by the official poster (below) and that may land with a thud among some viewers. Still, movie schedules are difficult to move around, so I can see why they pressed forward to release.

That aside, it’s a solid buddy comedy for a girls’ or guys’ night out to help remind you why you have crazy friends in the first place.

“One Of Them Days” is in theaters January 17.