JEXI (2019)

 

Written & Directed By: Jon Lucas & Scott Moore  Cinematography: Ben Kutchins  Editor: James Thomas 

Cast: Adam Devine, Rose Byrne, Alexandra Shipp, Ron Funches, Charlyne Yi, Michael Pena, Wanda Sykes, Justin Hartley, Kid Cudi

Phil has a major dependency issue - he's addicted to his phone. He has no friends, he has a job writing pop culture "Top 10" lists, and his love life is non-existent. But his Facebook status is about to change. When he is forced to upgrade his phone, the latest model comes with an unexpected feature... Jexi - an A.I. life coach, virtual assistant, and cheerleader. With her help, Phil begins to get a real life. But as he becomes less dependent on his phone, Jexi's artificial intelligence morphs into a tech nightmare determined to keep Phil all to herself, even if it means ruining his chances of finding success.

Directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, known to make comedic free for all films. Some that work and are quite funny and some that don’t, but while this one is scaled back it still has the chaos and anarchy run amuck in Certain scenes 

This is a comedy film that feels a little late to the party. As it seems to want to lampoon technology and the growing need of people to live by it. 

It also provides a movie that has a high concept story and comes off as simplistic as possible, but also trying to have a certain hipness to sell itself to a willing audience.

It feels like a script where it was better to pitch and spitball. Trying to build a Whole film around the concept. That was more fun in thinking about rather than in execution. 

As it still ends up feeling out of place to a degree like a 1990’s comedy. Even as the film is supposed to be more dependent on cutting-edge technology. Where it showcases the danger of technology, limiting it more  and the rewards of living life and experience.

Though the film Also shows what can happen when someone who is the center of your attention loses interest or has no dependence. How vengeful they can be in that loneliness.

It also in it’s own way shows what an addiction can do to us. Therefore love your life for your own enjoyment. 

The cast all seem to give it they're all. As every character seems over the top to a degree. Adam Devine is a funny and able leading man, but needs to find better scripts than these subpar romantic comedies of the Netflix variety.

Alexandra Shipp is attractive as the love interest but is given nothing to really do rather than show independence early on day then fall into romance and be the most understanding cool, beautiful girl in the movie.

Though the late romantic square becomes awkward and doesn’t exactly work. Nor is it explained why Jexi is the way she is.

In the end, it was a perfectly ok time waster. As long as you know what you are getting into and don’t expect much.

Grade: D+