Quiz Lady

Quiz Lady is a lovely comedy that overcomes its issues with the noticeable gaps between laughs thanks to how warm it feels from the beginning. It celebrates the thankless acts siblings will do for each other as well as how vital it is to have one consistently reliable form of joy when everything else kinda sucks, regardless of it being a game show in this case. Plus the spread out collection of successful jokes are pretty memorable.

Awkwafina does a great job playing the straight man for the most part whilst still finding some time to let loose occasionally and Sandra Oh is having a lot of fun being the more unhinged one out of the two of them with the emotional moments to balance it all out. Will Ferrell is very genial in his small role as the game show host and Jason Schwartzman hides his villainy under a thin veil of kindness really well.

Jessica Yu's direction is always more than competent enough to get the job done but the best creative flourishes arrive in the middle section of the film with a standout sequence involving conflicting hallucinations during a high stakes audition. The comedic timing is generally strong when it's actually utilised because those bits don't overstay their welcome and there are a couple of seriously snappy one liners.

"Quiz Lady" is like a game show itself - a mix of the familiar and the surprising, with just enough excitement to keep you in your seat. This 2023 flick directed by the up-and-coming Jessica Yu plays out like a quirky love letter to game show enthusiasts, but with a twist that's more daytime TV than prime-time drama.

Anne, our game show whiz, is a character you can't help but root for, despite her slightly neurotic tendencies. The film's strength lies in its portrayal of the chaotic, yet endearing bond between Anne and her wild card sister, Jenny. Their dynamic, peppered with flashbacks and nostalgic bickering, forms the heart of the story, making their journey from estranged siblings to team players both touching and believable. The subplot involving their mother's gambling addiction and the loan shark adds a touch of thrill, albeit a tad cliché.

But where "Quiz Lady" stumbles is in its predictability. The twists, like Jenny's double bluff about the lawsuit, feel more telegraphed than shocking. The hallucinogenic audition scene, while hilarious, borders on the absurd, detracting from the film's otherwise grounded humor. It's a rollercoaster that doesn't always keep you guessing, but it sure does keep you smiling.

The film's climax, a game of charades on "Can't Stop the Quiz," is a standout, blending humor and heart in a crescendo that's both satisfying and slightly cheesy. Anne's transition from a nervous wreck to a game show legend is the stuff of underdog dreams, though it happens a bit too neatly. The final reconciliation with Jenny, tied up with the bow of familial love, might feel a bit too convenient for some.

In conclusion, "Quiz Lady" is a decent watch. It's the kind of film you'd enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It doesn't reinvent the genre, but it doesn't need to. With solid performances, especially the cantankerous neighbor Francine offering sage life advice, it's a comforting, if somewhat formulaic, journey. It's not going to change your life, but it'll definitely brighten your day.

In fresh, charming comedy "Quiz Lady" nerdy Awkwafina's life centres around her dog and her fave tv quiz show (with host Will Ferrell & smarmy champ Jason Schwartzman) - so when her dog's kidnapped by mobster Jon Park, her sister Sandra Oh & crotchety neighbour Holland Taylor 'convince' her to go on the show to raise his ransom. It's pretty daft & silly, but Jen D'Angelo infuses ample sisterly warmth into her second screenplay, and director Jessica Yu elicits fine comic performances from her impressive cast (including a Paul Reubens cameo in his final movie - RIP). While not the most demanding or high-brow film out there, it's heart-lifting and fun. Good enough.

First, Sandra Oh needs to stick to comedy. I have never enjoyed her in dramas, she comes across as whiny and cold but she is terrific in this and a good foible for Awkwafina.

Not a laugh out loud comedy but touching and sweet. Will Farrell should stick to smaller parts like this. When he's the lead he is overwhelming but in smaller parts he often steals the show. The best part is that you don't even see it as an "Asian" movie, you just see two damaged people looking for a purpose in life. When race disappears in movies, you know that it's a well written and well acted film.

Give this one a chance.

For the first time in a really long time, we have a movie with an original plot, a solid cast, and zero gimmicks. I felt as though every character could actually be someone I know, so the movie was very relatable for me. It's funny, it's heartfelt, and it's creative.

I live under a rock, so I didn't know who Awkwafina was, but now I'm a fan! She's a solid talent and I hope to see more from her. I was thrilled to see Sandra Oh in a character so far removed from her Grey's Anatomy character, and I thought she sparkled.

I love going into movies without knowing anything about the plot, so I started this one to pass some time and ended up cancelling an appointment so I could finish it. I now have leg hair of unspeakable length, but it was worth it.