3 Short Paragraphs (Or Not): Quiz Lady

2023, Jessica Yu (13 Reasons Why) -- Disney

Kent's the comedy movie guy in these parts. Kent will/would have more insight. I am usually caught by a premise or an actor or a style when I choose to watch comedy. If the trailer makes me chuckle at least twice, then I am oft inspired to actually watch the movie. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't necessarily dislike comedy. I am just ... niche? Or maybe too pedestrian in my comedy? 

So, I laughed at two things during this movie's trailers: that the tables were turned and Sandra Oh was the weird, awkward one, and Awkwafina was the awkward, straight one. That still seems... wrong, but maybe the "flipping the expectations" is what they were going for? Second one was when Sandra Oh hits on the gay doctor and he responds, "I am married, and I am gay." Her response, "Why's you have to say two reasons?"

#snort

So, Anne Yum (Awkwafina, Ocean's Eight) is nerdy and awkward, insular and invisible at work. But she has her game show and her dog; well, her sister's dog that was left behind 20 years ago. Anne gets the call from the old folks home that they lost her mom (!!!). No, silly, not dead, just lost. Turns out mom took off to Macau with her new boyfriend, and that is the final straw for the home, who kicks her out. Anne's estranged sister Jenny (Sandra Oh, Killing Eve) also shows up, much to her sister's chagrin. Jenny is a hot mess, homeless, jobless and still dressing like she is 21. She is not 21. 

Also, mom has a gambling problem and owes a local bookie $80K. So they steal the dog as collateral.

Every week night Anne sits down with her dog to watch the popular quiz show hosted by aging, amiable Terry McTeer (Will Ferrell, Stranger Than Fiction) which she has been watching so long and with so much dedication, she gets every question correct. But its not just the watching -- Anne's bookshelves are full of books full of the knowledge these types of quiz shows depend on. 

A plan is hatched. By Jenny. Anne hates being in the spotlight, but she wants her dog back. She grudgingly agrees. If she does really well on the show, she could not only win enough money to get the dog back, but also dethrone the reigning winner, smarmy Ron Heacock (Jason Schwartzman, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World), who has his eyes on being the next Terry McTeer. Anne hates him. Everyone hates him, despite being such a nice guy. 

Does everyone hate Ken Jennings? 

You know how it ends. 

Its an OK comedy with a modicum of heart, some decent jokes and a lot of awkwardness. Sandra Oh is pretty good as the entirely not-self-aware (or IS she entirely self aware, but only sees one path to where she wants to be?) terrible older sister. Awkwafina has to stop playing the "straight man" characters and embrace her own level of weird, be let off the leash. That said, she really has the slouch down pat in this movie.