Self Reliance (2023) คนเดียวหัวหาย หลายคนวุ่นวาย

I did quite like the premiss here, but the joke really did start to wear a bit thin after half an hour. Tommy (Jake Johnson) is invited to a secret meeting with two men who offer him the chance of winning $1 million if only he can survive a deadly game for a month. In order to take the prize, he must find a way to stay alive for whilst various hunters try to kill him. His only guarantee of safety is not a church, but being in the close presence of someone else. Innocent civilians are his bullet-proof vest. He assumes he can rely on his family - but they think he s rather lost the plot and that means holing up for thirty days with his nearest and dearest isn t an option. He will have to get out into the real world and make friends. This, of course, leads to new experiences and puts a lot of pressure on this man who isn t really best equipped - for anything, really. What would or wouldn t we do for a life changing sum of money That s the gist but I found the effort from Johnson just too intense. The humour was way too in your face and his acting over the top as the scenarios began to recycle themselves. There s no jeopardy at all, and it probably didn t help that I d no idea who Andy Samberg was, either. It s a perfectly watchable vehicle for Johnson if you like your comedy predictable and loud, but otherwise it s all quickly paced but forgettable fayre.

Self Reliance possesses an intriguing premise but ultimately plays it too safe. More audacity and bite were required to truly leave a mark on Jake Johnson s feature directorial debut.Good work as an actor - Anna Kendrick steals the show, though - decent showcase of his strengths as a writer - despite failing to fully capitalize on the narrative s potential - but the lack of a firm grip on the thriller elements and some tonal inconsistencies prevent the film from reaching the next level.Some humorous moments and a sweet message surrounding the importance of human connections make it a worthwhile watch for those seeking a lighthearted comedy-thriller. Rating: C+