REIVEW: Emergency Is A Wild College Comedy, That Might Hit Too Close Too Home
The film begins with the introduction of two friends, Sean (RJ Cyler) and Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins), who could not be any more different. Kunle is a focused and strait-laced, straight A student with plans to go to Princeton after graduation. Sean, on the other hand, is your typical college student, flying aimlessly through the semester with no thoughts on what’s to come after graduation. His only worry is how he and Kunle are going to pull off The Legendary Tour before they graduate. The Legendary Tour is a night filled of party-hopping at the best bars & parties in town. A ticket must be acquired for those who intend to venture out on this tour and Sean has finally managed to nab two tickets for the tour. However, their whole evening is turned sideways when the pair find a white girl named Emma (Maddie Nichols) passed out in their house. Kunle immediately wants to call the cops, but Sean is completely against the idea because the cops would never believe that two Black boys “found” a white girl passed out in their home. Wrangling in their third roommate, Carlos (Sebastian Chacon), the trio find themselves on a wild ride that includes wild frat boys and an angry drunk sister, played by Sabrina Carpenter. It’s this ride though that will not only open Kunle’s eyes to the injustices of the world but strengthen these boys’ friendship forever.
Originally debuting as a short film at Sundance in 2018, directed Carey Williams’ and writer K.D. Davila’s decided to expand on their successful story to create a film that is a wonderful balance between college comedy ridiculousness and realistic tension. It’s also an interesting dynamic to watch as Kunle and Sean struggle with how to manage the Emma situation, Carlos as well. As the trio battle it out with what to do in the situation, the audience can’t help, but side with one of the perspectives. However, it won’t be long before they are switching sides when more perspectives are added to the story. It’s this constant ever changing perspective that drives this film forward. The comedy though is what keeps the film balanced.
Cyler and Watkins are absolutely fabulous in this tale. Their chemistry and comedic timing are spot-on, but it is the tenser moments throughout the film where the two truly shine, specifically Watkins towards the end of the film. Chanco as the socially awkward gamer, Carlos, is a tremendous addition to the trio. It is the scenes where these three actors are together that create the funnier moments in the film.
Carpenter portrayal of Emma’s sister Maddy, who is hot on the boys’ trail, trying to track down her sister is great as well. However, the character may leave the audience shaking their heads when they learn more about her as the film progresses. Madison Thompson, who plays Maddy’s best friend Alice and Diego Abraham as Alice’s crush Rafael are fun little duo when paired with Carpenter’s over the top Maddy.
Emergency is not a film I would recommend just turning on and having as background noise. This is a film you need to be paying attention to. There are moments where the story slows but overall, the film creates conversation. A conversation that I hope will leave audiences talking when the final credit’s role.
Grade: B