Keke Palmer and SZA in Raucous Buddy Comedy

Few moments provoke more anxious terror for the residents of The Jungles, the bustling Los Angeles location in which the hilarious new film One of these days is fixed only on the first of the month. Their surly landlord prowls around the apartment complex and collects rent from units that desperately need repairs. Looking for any reason to evict his long-time, mostly working-class tenants, Uche (Rizi Timane) has a strict policy: if you don’t pay, you can’t stay.

It is therefore a real problem when Uche announces to Dreux (Keke Palmer) that he has not received his rent. The tired waitress responds to her owner’s harsh blows in a half-asleep state. Uche must be wrong, she insists, because her best friend and roommate Alyssa (SZA) paid for it. It turns out that Alyssa instructed her unreliable boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal) to make the payment. And he, a failed serial entrepreneur, decided to “borrow” the funds to invest in his line of fake designer t-shirts. Uche, of course, doesn’t care about the details of this betrayal or the young woman’s predicament. He just wants his money, and Dreux and Alyssa have eight hours to get it to him.

Directed by Lawrence Lamont and written by Syreeta Singleton, One of these days follows Dreux and Alyssa on a high-stakes adventure to earn rent. As the two women conjure up new, increasingly scandalous plans to get $1,500 by the end of the day and to help Dreux ace his interview for a promotion, their story transforms into a quintessential American tale of survival under capitalism.

The duo begins by trying to steal Keshawn’s money, but only succeeds in making enemies with his new lover, Berniece (Aziza Scott). They consider donating blood, which results in a traumatic visit to the clinic, and even weigh the cost of a payday loan, those exploitative advances made by predatory agencies. And during this wild quest, the women must face themselves, the reality of their dreams and the truths of their friendship.

One of these daysproduced by Issa Rae, is the kind of low-budget, big-laughter theatrical comedy that was once more common; It’s a shame that TriStar planned a January release, as the film had the potential to be a summer hit. Its two charismatic protagonists alone are worth a trip to a theater, surrounded by a crowd ready to have a good time. Palmer succeeds in her portrayal of Dreux, a hardworking and pragmatic waitress who seeks to become franchise manager of her restaurant. The actress’ winning charm and precise comedic timing make this straightforward character endearing, who lives or dies according to a plan.

SZA, the Grammy Award-winning artist known for her heartbreaking anthems, holds her own as Alyssa, a talented but temperamental painter in need of professional direction and better taste in men. In many ways, this free-spirited character seems plucked from an SZA record — the subject who aspires to be like other girls (“Normal Girl”) or refuses to acknowledge the difficult aspects of reality (“Blind “). More than anything, these two seemingly diametrically opposed adventures inspire nostalgia for the female friendships of Rae’s previous projects, of Molly and Issa in Precarious to Shawna and Mia in the show canceled too soon Damn rap!.

Like these other women, Dreux and Alyssa help each other get out of chaotic situations, coaching each other in their quest for ridiculously attractive boyfriends (while Alyssa tries to get over Keshawn, Dreux falls for her neighbor Maniac, played by Damn rap!(Patrick Gage) and overcoming the inevitable tensions of long-term friendships. On this last point, One of these days shares the struggle of many comedies to try to gain emotion. A key scene in which Dreux and Alyssa struggle with their differences lands stiffly; Singleton’s otherwise excellent script doesn’t give enough lead to the moment, so its tone doesn’t have enough time to settle. But it’s a forgivable disappointment considering how high the rest of the film rises.

Dreux and Alyssa’s adventures take them through South Los Angeles, first in Alyssa’s car, then on foot and by public transportation. Their story takes place against the backdrop of a city besieged by gentrification. Maude Apatow makes a memorable appearance as Bethany, a new tenant at Dreux and Alyssa’s apartment complex. Bethany is a celebrity chef initially unaware of the uniqueness of her special treatment: her air conditioning works and her unit has crown molding and new kitchen counters. In his most overt moments of commentary, One of these days the tone echoes the ironic humor of The Vince Staples Show And They cloned Tyrone.

Many of the best scenes punctuate the social analysis with mocking humor. Memorable examples include the Payday Loan Excursion – which stars Keyla Monterroso Mejia as a mocking agent and Katt Williams as a former lender, and a pop-up event that brings the jungles’ denizens together for a meaningful night. In these two scenes, especially in the last, One of these days highlights a particular form of worker solidarity. It reminds us that rent day haunts us all.