So, you know how sometimes actors try to direct and it’s like watching a car crash in slow motion? You know, like Nicholas Cage and Johnny Depp– arre isme chappal uthaane ki kya baat hai, shaanti se baat karte hai na guys. Okay anyway, the reason why I brought this up is because I just watched “Self Reliance”, directed by Jake Johnson, who also wrote the movie and stars in it. But before you think it is another car crash, it’s not. It’s just a few dents on the car here and there. Johnson actually manages to keep things interesting amidst the chaos of the comedy-thriller genre.
Plot
Imagine Tommy: just your average LA dude, sad and lonely after a brutal breakup (us rahega Tommy bhai) and stuck in a dead-end job. Wahi same old ghisi-piti daily routine with no friends to talk to (ab ye personal ho raha hai). But then, out of the blue, guess who he meets? Adam Sandler!!!!! And that’s not it. Adam Sandler invites him to be a part of this game show for the dark web where he needs to survive for a month, and if he does so, he wins fckin $1 Million!!! But there’s a catch: the killers can only kill him if he’s alone. Kismat ho toh Tommy bhai jaisi. Talk about a plot twist! Without a second thought, he says yes and phir hota hai asli khel shuru. With paranoia creeping in and loneliness staring at him, Tommy’s only hope is to find someone to stick by his side in this crazy game. Who does he find? How does it turn out? Watch the movie to find out! Yeah, I’m sorry but I’m annoying that way.
Performances
Jake Johnson is just too good as Tommy, bringing his trademark deadpan humor we love. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you gotta watch “New Girl.” Cuz trust me you’re missing out. Anna Kendrick is simply a healthy dose of warmth and sunshine as Maddy, Tommy’s unlikely partner-in-crime, while Biff Wiff steals the show as the lovable homeless guy, James. Wiff’s comic timing is on point, and you can’t help but root for him and Tommy’s bromance. Mannn, just can’t get enough of those guys >>>>
Direction and Writing
Ngl, I wasn’t really positive about this being Johnson’s directorial debut. Because a lot of comedians turned actors turned directors have done this already, and well, it hasn’t really worked out most of the time. But not Jack Johnson. He steps behind the camera and keeps things pretty interesting. Yeah, I get that there are some pacing issues and random tonal shifts, but overall, he holds it together pretty well. But his writing kinda sorta disappoints. He dives deep into the absurdity of the situation, but the humor doesn’t always land. Also, when it comes to tugging at your heartstrings, he kinda fumbles there too. But at least I wasn’t bored at any point in the movie, thanks to the unexpected twists that keep you guessing until the end.
Screenplay and Cinematography
Now, here’s where things get a bit hit-or-miss. The pacing isn’t even. Pehli baat toh we hardly get to know anything about Tommy throughout the movie. Secondly, the stakes don’t seem too high. I mean this is literally a game where you either lose your life or be rich as fck… but I don’t see that energy in the movie– it feels all laid back. As for the visuals, it feels more like a reality TV show than a movie… and while my friends complained about it, I actually kinda liked it. Pata nahi, bada refreshing sa laga dekh kar. Some people might think it could’ve used a bit more cinematic flair, but hey, this one’s fun to watch too.
So, is “Self Reliance” worth the watch? Absolutely. It’s a wild ride filled with laughs, thrills, and a whole lot of heart. Johnson proves he’s more than just a funny face on screen – he can direct too, even though I think there’s time for him come up with a banger of a movie. Sure, it’s not perfect, but hey, neither are we, right? Give it a shot, and you won’t be disappointed!
