“Self Reliance” is a unique comedy film written, produced, and directed by actor Jake Johnson. Apart from Johnson, it also stars Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morales, Mary Holland, Emily Hampshire, and the aging actor Christopher Lloyd. The film, which debuted on the film festival circuit early last year, was recently released on streaming platforms. How unique is this comedy film?
Tommy (Johnson), who is lonely, finds himself trapped in his daily routine. When an offer to participate in a reality show with a $1 million prize comes his way, he doesn’t refuse. The condition is that he must survive for 30 days, during which killers will attempt to take his life. His family believes Tommy has lost his sanity and insists on accompanying him at all times. Faced with the threat, Tommy hires an old homeless man named James to assist him. Tommy’s days become inseparable from this old figure until a young woman, Maddy (Kendrick), also a participant, enters his life.
The story starts with an exciting premise, but don’t expect the film to be filled with brutal action. The plot doesn’t delve into the competition committee like “The Hunger Games”; instead, it focuses solely on Tommy. Throughout almost the entire duration, it remains unclear whether this reality show is real or just a joke. The story revolves around Tommy’s mental struggles, not the game itself.
Tommy is someone who always seeks his comfort zone, even causing his decades-long girlfriend to finally reach her limit. He struggles to move on, despite his family’s support. The reality show becomes a life lesson for Tommy, and whether it’s real or not, Maddy holds the answers. While the twists and turns are easy to anticipate, they make the plot feel flat and dull at times. If only the game posed a more imminent threat, the story might have taken a different turn. The comedic tone, however, diminishes the expected tension.
“Self Reliance” presents a fresh premise and a unique comedic style, even though the plot is predictable. Johnson delivers a solid performance through well-crafted dialogue and a script he wrote himself. Kendrick portrays Maddy energetically, breathing life into the story. Unfortunately, her character is treated similarly to the reality show – not fully utilizing the potential of the premise and casting to create a more memorable narrative. The script feels personal, possibly inspired by the filmmaker’s own life story, exploring the themes of naivety versus an absurd world. Johnson could learn much about the theme of loneliness from Adam Samberg (who makes a cameo in the film) through the masterpiece in which he starred, “Palm Springs” (2020).
