The Day Shall Come
THE DAY SHALL COME - Entertainment One
Infamous comedic satirist Chris Morris returns to the world of comedy — after a nine-year absence in the director’s chair since his directorial debut with Four Lions in 2010 — with The Day Shall Come, a film that’s core template is not so different from his infamous debut. Morris’s latest film follows an African American religious commune in Miami who are pulled into a conspiracy to indict unsuspecting participants on terrorist acts courted by the FBI.
The Day Shall Come has strong poignant relevancy, considering the state of racial and political tension found in the US, however, the end result is a disappointing venture that feels not only somewhat exploitative but incredibly inconsequential and flat. The most significant attribute missing from Morris’s film is the comedic bravado found in much of his work; not only is this comedic fanfare lacking, but gone is the glimmer of touching seriousness and implemented is a form of farcical nature.
It is this very farce that undercuts the oppressive atmosphere and valuable education trying to be told. The balance and restraint is a mess. Gone is the parallel path of decrepit humour with sincerity and gravitas. While it is clear that this is not Morris's intention, The Day Shall Come feels to be more so laughing at the characters in this circumstance than laughing with them.
The performances sadly do not save face either. Anna Kendrick turns up for the fleeting role as FBI Agent Kendra, adding a flame of intrigue and comedic prowess with a social inclination to discuss sexism. Sadly, the results are slim and never genuinely present. Leading actor Marchánt Davis as Moses injects a whim of personality and charisma, but the necessary material provided is tonally all over the place and difficult to bind with. Even more bizarre is the fact that unlike Morris’s previous rendition of these types of characters, Morris and friends are entirely innocent of all crimes.
The film’s conviction is less than convincing and more so problematic. There are an array of justifications and reasoning behind what can only be condoned as a failure. This is perhaps due to the long-standing time of eight years between features, in which Morris has waited in the wings while our political climate has evolved and progressed to an entirely different standard.
The Day Shall Come is released October 11, 2019.
