BUFFALOED (2020)

Directed By: Tanya Wexler Written By: Brian Sacca  Cinematography: Guy Godfree 

Editor: Casey Brooks 

Cast: Zoey Deutch, Judy Greer, Jai Courtney, Jermaine Fowler, Noah Reid, Lusia Strus, Lorrie Odom, Brian Sacca, Raymond Ablack

Set in the underworld of debt-collecting and follows the homegrown hustler Peg Dahl, who will do anything to escape Buffalo, NY.

These are the type of mid-budgeted, character comedies that you wish studios still made. Even though comes off more like a low  budgeted one that has a good cast 

This is the second time I can say that actor Jai Courtney has given a performance that is impressive in A film. He is practically unrecognizable (In case you are interested SUICIDE SQUAD is the other) 

When it comes to actress Zoey Deutch, I don’t know if in some roles all she has to do is look Good without much effort or engagement and or works for those films or that at times she either overplays here roles, putting in so much energy or we can more see the strings on her performances. And we don’t expect it from her that's what makes her so surprising. That like Anna Faris she excels in comedic Roles giving her all only more subdued. 

It also depends on the strength of the material. Which might be why Anna Faris isn’t quite the star she should be yet. The scripts and material are not particularly strong and in her favor. She is recognizable but not thought of in the great comedic stars of the time. Thanks to movies and roles that never quite took off.

One is hoping Zoey Deutch doesn’t serve the same fate. Here she plays the role almost like a recurring SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE character at first. Who becomes more dramatic and real throughout. always chipper and calculating. 

The character seems like she is a character from FARGO, only here the character is over ambitious and from Buffalo. She also happens to be the smartest person throughout the film.

Where the performance is actually better than the film. As her performance makes the film and you can’t imagine anyone else playing the role. But you need the other characters and the film as a garnish to get the performance and have it make sense. Making the film a good time.

A film that basically offers or gives Ms. Deutch a spotlight role. That makes her leading performance the highlight but not off of star power but how strongly She plays the character going for gold. This Is more of a star-making performance. That is not necessarily sexy.

Luckily the script and the rest of the film Doesn’t keep the pace but clears the way for a successful run. 

GRADE: B -