Quiz Lady

Perennial scene stealer Awkwafina lets a hilariously freewheeling Sandra Oh walk away with this rambunctious 2023 comedy as they play estranged sisters who are forced to pay off their runaway mother's $80K gambling debt by competing on a Jeopardy-like game show, Can't Stop the Quiz. Awkwafina tamps down her cutting screen persona playing the put-upon little sister Anne who has become an avid expert CSQ player at home. Older sister Jenny is an irresponsible free spirit who pushes Anne to become a contestant. You can figure out the rest, yet director Jessica Yu and screenwriter Jen D'Angelo inject surprising humanism into the battery-operated plot as well as hilarious scenes like Anne's phantasmagoric drug-induced episode. A strong supporting cast helps considerably with Will Ferrell, Holland Taylor, and Jason Schwartzman playing key roles. There's also a sweet, unexpected cameo at the end.

Both Sandra Oh and Akwafina give great funny/heart warming performances. Never would I think Oh would do such a role. Going into the movie, I was hesitant, but very quickly fell in love with her character. Akwafina plays a more serious role than usual, but still keeps things light. This is one of the few films of recent years that's rewatchable and will produce laughs and cries each time. Great unexpected punchlines on what you think are about to be classic tropes. This movie is worth a watch if you're looking for something to lift your spirits. And if nothing else, Mr Linguine is the best thing to happen to 2023.

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.

"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.

It's a fun entertaining comedy with some good directing from Jessica You and great chemistry between Sandra Oh and Awkwafina. Throughout, the production sets and camerawork is solid and it helps to present the setting and atmosphere pretty well. The narrative is the typical sister bonding comedy blended with game shows and while it is pretty standard, it still holds on pretty well with the two good performances from Oh and Awkwafina who both provided great chemistry and charm together.

There are some solid dialogue moments between the characters and pacing is good. Most of the humor is solid but some of the humorous aspects felt a little forced, especially regarding on internet culture as the internet culture humors felt a bit out of place. The soundtrack is a little annoying at times. Overall, it's nothing too special but it's entertaining.