11th October 2019 (UK)
An impoverished preacher who brings hope to the Miami projects is offered cash to save his family from eviction. He has no idea his sponsor works for the FBI who plan to turn him into a criminal by fueling his madcap revolutionary dreams.
Chris Morris
Andrel McPherson, Miles Robbins, Marchánt Davis, Anna Kendrick
87 mins
Chris Morris has long been a cult figure in the British comedy scene and his status was firmly cemented with 2011’s Four Lions, a brilliant comedy that focuses on a group of British terrorists. As is clear from that description Morris isn’t afraid to dive headfirst into controversial material. He’s taken a similar leap into the deep end with his new film The Day Shall Come, which focuses on the FBI attempting to frame the oblivious commune owner and leader of exactly 4, Moses (excellent newcomer Marchánt Davis), as the next big terrorist threat.
Morris has shifted the action from the UK to the bigger fish that is the USA, and thoroughly embraces the many shades of the country, warts and all. However, Morris is clever enough to avoid the temptations of the bigger scale that was no doubt offered to him by the Hollywood bigwigs after the success of Four Lions. Instead he chooses to focus in on Moses and his small family and followers, and juxtapose that with the office-dwelling FBI agents trying desperately to pin him for something. After a somewhat shaky start, the film begins firing on all cylinders, with the two groups full of more than capable comedic actors. FBI Agents Kendra (Anna Kendrick; A Simple Favour) and Stevie (Adam David Thompson; A Walk Among The Tombstones) are quick with the insults whilst Davis leans successfully into the wackier side of Moses’ character.
The Day Shall Come is much more than the jokes though. It has something bubbling under the surface which really comes to the forefront as the film reaches its finale. It is emotion and most importantly heart that builds throughout the admittedly 87 minute brief run-time. This is no doubt due to the stellar lead performances of Davis and Danielle Brooks, as his wife Venus, whose connection is the crux of the film and Kendrick as the guilt-ridden agent.
The Day Shall Come is another success for Morris. Maybe it’s not the runaway comedy hit that his previous effort was, but it never sets out to be. It’s hilarious and then it stops you dead in your tracks. There’s a touch of genius in executing that.
[This review first appeared as part of Matthew’s Melbourne International Film Festival Report #2]
Rapid fire back and forth by Kendrick and Thompson
Razor sharp return for Chris Morris
Shaky start
Those looking for Four Lions level of humour likely to be disappointed
Trolls World Tour
A Simple Favour
End Of Watch
