This felt like a cross between a high-school drama class production, and a vanity project for writer and lead actor Scott Caan to have his shirt unbuttoned or off wearing only underwear as much as possible. The writing, and especially the dialogue, was borderline infantile, and I'd say at least 80% of it was nonsense filler. There were only a few hits at humor, but it was mostly misses. The story did have some heart to it, but it was down-played and overshadowed by a lot of nonsense. Even Caan naming his character Jackie Powers was borderline cringe. Grillo's and Simmons' talents were underutilized and they both deserve to be in better films. Although they were the draw to this film, Marianne Rendon as Lola shined the most, and stole every scene. She was the only reason I even finished the film, because her character and performance were outstanding, and the reason I'm being generous with my 6/10. Swab's directing was decent given the flaccid script he had to work with, but with a more experienced screenwriter, this film could've been great.
23 Reviews
Lazy for a John Swab flick
HorrorFilmHellion18 April 2023
Aside from a couple Swab trademarks and easter eggs (eg; chocolate bar with a Candy Land wrapper), it didn't really feel like Swab to me. Seemed a bit misguided and going nowhere. The script is a weak point, nothing daring, and the plot fairly nonsensical. Some of the acting was pretty good by the big names, and it was shot pretty well, but I didn't personally care for the pretentious nonthingness that made up the script. Swab is a bit of an acquired taste, and he has done several better films than this one. Big name bit parts aside, Marianne Rendon was a standout performer here, even with this script.
So... what?
hydralien29 June 2023
A bunch of good actors doing a great job and getting nowhere. Feels wasteful and not utilising the potential at all - everyone is at their right place, everyone is doing more than decent job portraying their characters, but for what reason? There's no explanation to that - there's no any substantial background to the characters, they appear out of nowhere and disappear back to the obscurity without leaving a mark, and in the end there's no connection between the story lines, no reason to the actions, no bottom line and no overarching idea, just a bunch of human-shaped sketches on screen. Could have been something, but it wasn't to be...
Not worth the investment in time
Jim_Screechy19 April 2023
The headline names made me watch this one, and though it started out with a reasonably interesting premise, It became clear that the poor script and weak plot were not going to do anything remotely passable for anything entertaining.
It doesn't really go anywhere, and nothing much is done with the off-beat concept that's brandished in the beginning.
The story is very weak and I'm only surprised more wasn't done to wrest if from the vestiges of what can barely be considered mediocrity. By this I mean, there is nothing interesting about what happens nor does the story attempt to engage in anything which could be considered remotely interesting.
The script is "Meh" Here we have people engaged in what I often call 'Hollywood talk' where they speak to each other in sentences and style that we only ever see in movies, but doesn't amount to a hill of beans or bare any resemblance to verbal exchanges in real life.
The unfortunate consequences of the poor story and script mean there is nothing substantial to latch on to here, and despite the direction and performances being first rate (for the most part) they can't instil any excitement into what unfolds on screen.
This is one of those movies I would categorize as - A bunch of stuff happens then the movie ends - but nothing therein makes it an enjoyable entertainment piece.
It's not terrible, but its more something I'd have on in the background while training in my home gym or cooking in the kitchen. Definitely not something to sit down on the sofa and indulge in with a tub of popcorn and good company.
I think 3/10 is a fair score, maybe 4/10 at a push.
It doesn't really go anywhere, and nothing much is done with the off-beat concept that's brandished in the beginning.
The story is very weak and I'm only surprised more wasn't done to wrest if from the vestiges of what can barely be considered mediocrity. By this I mean, there is nothing interesting about what happens nor does the story attempt to engage in anything which could be considered remotely interesting.
The script is "Meh" Here we have people engaged in what I often call 'Hollywood talk' where they speak to each other in sentences and style that we only ever see in movies, but doesn't amount to a hill of beans or bare any resemblance to verbal exchanges in real life.
The unfortunate consequences of the poor story and script mean there is nothing substantial to latch on to here, and despite the direction and performances being first rate (for the most part) they can't instil any excitement into what unfolds on screen.
This is one of those movies I would categorize as - A bunch of stuff happens then the movie ends - but nothing therein makes it an enjoyable entertainment piece.
It's not terrible, but its more something I'd have on in the background while training in my home gym or cooking in the kitchen. Definitely not something to sit down on the sofa and indulge in with a tub of popcorn and good company.
I think 3/10 is a fair score, maybe 4/10 at a push.
For fun
dougden26 May 2023
I guess the other negative reviewers , were seeking some
golden globe type of movie , based off the cast members
in this production . This movie never tries to be that ,
even the trailers inform the audience that it's made FOR
FUN . It doesn't imply that it's to be taken serious , it's
just FOR FUN . So if you are looking for a FUN time ,
escapism type of movie , that's relaxing and FOR FUN ,
then this my friend is for you . 7 stars from me . I thoroughly enjoined this movie . I can only guess that those viewers who expected some major piece of art , based the cast , have never heard of an actor simply shooting a movie for a friend , that's not going to win themselves nor the flim an Academy Award. They do them FOR FUN .
Was hoping for it to get better...nope!
psxexperten14 April 2023
This was the most pointless excuse of a movie I have ever seen. I want my time back. It started off very promising and just went all the way down under the hill from there.
Stupid setting dumb script bad casting (actors really don't mesh well, no chemistry whatsoever) bad acting not funny at all action is both stupid and childish even when people die, you don't take it seriously Acting was terrible maybe because the script was so poor. So sad. I'm so angry I can't give it less than a star. The only thing worse than sitting through it to see if it would by some chance redeem itself, was the ending. Such a waste of my time, energy and electricity. My goodness the rubbish that passes for entertainment these days is astounding. Find something else to watch!
Stupid setting dumb script bad casting (actors really don't mesh well, no chemistry whatsoever) bad acting not funny at all action is both stupid and childish even when people die, you don't take it seriously Acting was terrible maybe because the script was so poor. So sad. I'm so angry I can't give it less than a star. The only thing worse than sitting through it to see if it would by some chance redeem itself, was the ending. Such a waste of my time, energy and electricity. My goodness the rubbish that passes for entertainment these days is astounding. Find something else to watch!
Anti-characters in anti-situations
tomsawyer-0185825 April 2023
This movie is really refreshing, with a weird humour, turning up from weird situations with weird characters who aren't really what they want to appear.
With the result that what they intent to do never really ends up as planned.
These kind of movies are pretty rare, succeeding to walk on a razor blade on the edge of ridicule, you never know what you should take seriously and what to just laugh about.
Some scenes have great word battles, between Frank Grillo and J. K. Simmons, Scott Caan and George Carroll, the way they talk is hilarious, they want to be clever and cool, and they end up dumb and emotional, these contrasts make the main characters turn out to be somehow likeable despite the fact they are all losers and pretenders.
And then there is Marianne Rendón, who works as a barmaid, when her mother has become very rich by marrying 4 rich men who happen to die quickly. The mother thinks her daughter is a looser too, because she dreamed to be an actress and went to Costa Rica to learn acting. Really ? You get the kind of auto-derision in which the script swims ?
It turns out that in real life, Marianne is a great actress, and she showed it twice, and at the end of the movie in a most emotional way that made even the other actors in the scene stop her from continuing her show. She made me feel sorry and laugh at the same time.
Though it could have been a little better, I would say longer, yes the good time I spend with this movie felt a bit short, short and intense.
With the result that what they intent to do never really ends up as planned.
These kind of movies are pretty rare, succeeding to walk on a razor blade on the edge of ridicule, you never know what you should take seriously and what to just laugh about.
Some scenes have great word battles, between Frank Grillo and J. K. Simmons, Scott Caan and George Carroll, the way they talk is hilarious, they want to be clever and cool, and they end up dumb and emotional, these contrasts make the main characters turn out to be somehow likeable despite the fact they are all losers and pretenders.
And then there is Marianne Rendón, who works as a barmaid, when her mother has become very rich by marrying 4 rich men who happen to die quickly. The mother thinks her daughter is a looser too, because she dreamed to be an actress and went to Costa Rica to learn acting. Really ? You get the kind of auto-derision in which the script swims ?
It turns out that in real life, Marianne is a great actress, and she showed it twice, and at the end of the movie in a most emotional way that made even the other actors in the scene stop her from continuing her show. She made me feel sorry and laugh at the same time.
Though it could have been a little better, I would say longer, yes the good time I spend with this movie felt a bit short, short and intense.
Absolutely Terrible
knokkel16 April 2023
I like the director but this is his weakest film to date. The writing and acting by Scott Caan was amateurish at best. This is just content and not a real feature. I rated this 1 / 10 A huge failure and pointless production.
JK and Grillo are great actors but this is way beneath both gentlemen. See Little Dixie movie from the same director. It's much better. Ida Red is also great. I love Josh Hartnett in that.
I'm looking forward to John Swab King Ivory. Fentanyl a.k.a 'King Ivory' is trafficked from state prison gangs; based upon true events.
In conclusion skip One Day as a Lion is it's not worth a watch.
JK and Grillo are great actors but this is way beneath both gentlemen. See Little Dixie movie from the same director. It's much better. Ida Red is also great. I love Josh Hartnett in that.
I'm looking forward to John Swab King Ivory. Fentanyl a.k.a 'King Ivory' is trafficked from state prison gangs; based upon true events.
In conclusion skip One Day as a Lion is it's not worth a watch.
A solid crime/thriller movie
IWasKnownAsThe1SentenceReviewer21 May 2023
A solid crime/thriller movie (the comedic part is probably only the result of the seemingly clueless but lovable Jackie "Some" Powers, interpreted beautifully by Scott Caan). Great lead duo with strong-as-strontium Marianne Rendón, Powers' adventure companion and only chance to get his son back.
J. K. Simmons is very believable in his role of a ruthless "cowboy" (thumb down to the costume designer for the horrible cheap and too big hat, though...). Several reviewers have denounced the empty plot or the sub-plot involving Frank Grillo; on the contrary, this seamless story is very enjoyable to follow.
J. K. Simmons is very believable in his role of a ruthless "cowboy" (thumb down to the costume designer for the horrible cheap and too big hat, though...). Several reviewers have denounced the empty plot or the sub-plot involving Frank Grillo; on the contrary, this seamless story is very enjoyable to follow.
Swearing, weak characters and a preposterous plot make for an unpleasant watch.
paulclaassen20 October 2023
The ONLY reason I decided to watch 'One Day as a Lion', was a glimpse of hunky Scott Caan in his underwear - with that gorgeous body - in the trailer!
I got to see more than enough of Scott's great body to satisfy me. His character, Jackie Powers, also turned out to be the only character in the film I cared about. The rest of the characters were all weak and unbelievable. And speaking of unbelievable, the premise had me raising an eyebrow on several occasions.
So, Jackie's thirteen year old son Billy has been imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, but everything about his son were so vague that I didn't fully grasp as to what the actual circumstances were. Jackie was asked by Pauly (Frank Grillo) to kill Walter Boggs (J. K. Simmons), who owes Pauly a great deal of money. Being an amateur - and a good guy - Jackie misses his target but accidentally kills a cook at a restaurant. He then kidnaps the waitress, Lola (Marianne Rendón).
Lola has a back story of her own. Her wealthy mother has cancer, and Lola can only inherit if she is married, so she helps Jackie, and tells her mother they are engaged. Nothing about this set-up was believable and can off course only work in a comedy that makes no sense... if that makes any sense...
As it turns out, Pauly didn't really want Walter dead; he just wanted to scare him. Ok, so now the story makes even less sense. What if Jackie succeeded? Surely Pauly didn't know Jackie was going to miss his target?? Oh, and speaking of Pauly, this was one of the worst characters ever! This was one of the weakest antagonists I've ever seen in a crime film - or any film for that matter. All this guy did was sit around swearing, stand around swearing, walking talking swearing... Every third word coming out of his mouth was f..k this, f..k that! And why was a physical actor like Frank Grillo cast as Pauly when this guy did absolutely nothing but talk-talk-talk-talk. There was not a single fight scene involving this antagonist.
Speaking of casting choices; why was Oscar winner J. K. Simmons cast as Walter? What on earth made him accept this part? He needs a new agent. Frank Grillo as well. Jackie was the only character keeping everything together, and I thought Scott Caan was well cast in this role.
There's some feel-good emotion here and there, but in general the film is just too ridiculous to matter. If it wasn't for Scott and his awesome body, 'One Day as a Lion' would have been a complete waste of time. The film became so preposterous towards the end that it was almost unwatchable. And all that foul language... no, thanks!
I got to see more than enough of Scott's great body to satisfy me. His character, Jackie Powers, also turned out to be the only character in the film I cared about. The rest of the characters were all weak and unbelievable. And speaking of unbelievable, the premise had me raising an eyebrow on several occasions.
So, Jackie's thirteen year old son Billy has been imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, but everything about his son were so vague that I didn't fully grasp as to what the actual circumstances were. Jackie was asked by Pauly (Frank Grillo) to kill Walter Boggs (J. K. Simmons), who owes Pauly a great deal of money. Being an amateur - and a good guy - Jackie misses his target but accidentally kills a cook at a restaurant. He then kidnaps the waitress, Lola (Marianne Rendón).
Lola has a back story of her own. Her wealthy mother has cancer, and Lola can only inherit if she is married, so she helps Jackie, and tells her mother they are engaged. Nothing about this set-up was believable and can off course only work in a comedy that makes no sense... if that makes any sense...
As it turns out, Pauly didn't really want Walter dead; he just wanted to scare him. Ok, so now the story makes even less sense. What if Jackie succeeded? Surely Pauly didn't know Jackie was going to miss his target?? Oh, and speaking of Pauly, this was one of the worst characters ever! This was one of the weakest antagonists I've ever seen in a crime film - or any film for that matter. All this guy did was sit around swearing, stand around swearing, walking talking swearing... Every third word coming out of his mouth was f..k this, f..k that! And why was a physical actor like Frank Grillo cast as Pauly when this guy did absolutely nothing but talk-talk-talk-talk. There was not a single fight scene involving this antagonist.
Speaking of casting choices; why was Oscar winner J. K. Simmons cast as Walter? What on earth made him accept this part? He needs a new agent. Frank Grillo as well. Jackie was the only character keeping everything together, and I thought Scott Caan was well cast in this role.
There's some feel-good emotion here and there, but in general the film is just too ridiculous to matter. If it wasn't for Scott and his awesome body, 'One Day as a Lion' would have been a complete waste of time. The film became so preposterous towards the end that it was almost unwatchable. And all that foul language... no, thanks!
Solid acting performances in a quirky, witty and charming gangster tale...
imseeg14 April 2023
The good: solid direction, great acting performances and a lovely, quirky story, with likeable characters and true to life dialiogue. I would have setttled for less!
I love these kind of quirky gangster comedies. It's been awhile since I have seen a good one and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start till finish.
It's not a Quentin Tarantino wannabe, but it has got the same reverance for the characters as is the case in all of the Tarantino movies (or in any great gangster movie for that matter). Because in every great gangster movie (comedy or dramatic) one needs true to life characters, whom I can sympathize with.
And the characters in this movie are to die for! However "gangsta" the characters all might seem to be on the outside, they all have a gentle, loving heart (hilarious, but true) and they all would f8*k up boiling an egg if it comes to being a real gangsta.
The story: Scott Caan plays a total f8*k up moron "gangster", who messes up the only hit job he has to execute.
Now he is on the run for his crime boss who wants to kill him, providing for some absurd and very witty situations, involving a man on a horse, a fake marriage, a son in jail whom he wants to rescue and a few fist fights...
Recommended for those fans of this comedy gangster genre, who love offbeat characters and quirky dialogues.
I love these kind of quirky gangster comedies. It's been awhile since I have seen a good one and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start till finish.
It's not a Quentin Tarantino wannabe, but it has got the same reverance for the characters as is the case in all of the Tarantino movies (or in any great gangster movie for that matter). Because in every great gangster movie (comedy or dramatic) one needs true to life characters, whom I can sympathize with.
And the characters in this movie are to die for! However "gangsta" the characters all might seem to be on the outside, they all have a gentle, loving heart (hilarious, but true) and they all would f8*k up boiling an egg if it comes to being a real gangsta.
The story: Scott Caan plays a total f8*k up moron "gangster", who messes up the only hit job he has to execute.
Now he is on the run for his crime boss who wants to kill him, providing for some absurd and very witty situations, involving a man on a horse, a fake marriage, a son in jail whom he wants to rescue and a few fist fights...
Recommended for those fans of this comedy gangster genre, who love offbeat characters and quirky dialogues.
Likeable (tho perhaps not loveable) small-town crime drama
danieljfarthing19 April 2023
In the likeable "One Day As A Lion" inept low-level hood Scott Caan (James' son) bungles a hit on tough rancher JK Simmons who owes big $$$ to Caan's slightly less inept bosses Frank Grillo & George Carroll. Caan goes on the run with the only witness to his screw-up, sassy Marianne Rendón, aided (perhaps) by her rich dying mum Virginia Masden but not by his ex Taryn Manning (as they also try to get son Dash Melrose outta jail) while Grillo & Carroll come after him (and Simmons). All performances are terrific (under director John Swab) and Caan wrote it in decent (if unexceptional) fashion for the genre. Small-town crime drama fans will def'ly like it (tho maybe not love it).
What's this crap?
apereztenessa-114 July 2023
How did this movie come to being?
The only thing that stands out when watching it is that it looks and feels like a student film. Quick and (theoretically) sarcastic dialogues, heavy on four letter words, but that reflect a lack of understanding of human nature (also called lack of maturity), which make every character profoundly uninteresting, unrelatable. Overly planned, academic shots that try hard to present an interesting structure, but ultimately scream "I picked this from a textbook". Forced "mise en scène" that looks like a poor attempt to reproduce Wes Anderson, Tarantino, maybe Godard. But heavens it's so bad! And ultimately it's not funny. It's not funny. And this is a comedy.
Well it's not a student film. Scott Caan has made dozens of movies. The director, John Swab, has made at least five! Unbelievable.
Opera Prima or not, it's bad.
The only thing that stands out when watching it is that it looks and feels like a student film. Quick and (theoretically) sarcastic dialogues, heavy on four letter words, but that reflect a lack of understanding of human nature (also called lack of maturity), which make every character profoundly uninteresting, unrelatable. Overly planned, academic shots that try hard to present an interesting structure, but ultimately scream "I picked this from a textbook". Forced "mise en scène" that looks like a poor attempt to reproduce Wes Anderson, Tarantino, maybe Godard. But heavens it's so bad! And ultimately it's not funny. It's not funny. And this is a comedy.
Well it's not a student film. Scott Caan has made dozens of movies. The director, John Swab, has made at least five! Unbelievable.
Opera Prima or not, it's bad.
A slightly endearing comedy/crime/romance movie
Taco_Sanchez10 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Scott Caan is our hero, Jackie Powers, who under duress enters a diner to shoot JK Simons who owes a debt to Frank Grillo. Caan messes up the hit, instead shooting the diner's cook and killing him. Simmons escapes. The only witness is a waitress named Lola Brisky played by Marianne Rendon, who Powers kidnaps.
We learn that Powers was working for Grillo in order to get help getting his 16 year old son out of JD. Lo and behold Brisky's mother played by Virginia Madsen is rich and dying, and Brisky can only get her inheritance if she's married.
She and Powers formulate a plan to help each other. Brisky's mother is fond of Powers, and ageees to help, however she passes away before they can get the check for the lawyer. This results in Powers eventually posing as his son's lawyer, with Brisky pretending to be the boys mother, and the judge releasing the son to her custody. The trio decide that they are going to abscond to Costa Rica.
While all of that is going on, we have several poorly written scenes that form a side plot with Simmons and Grillo, over $100,000 that was owed and not paid. The dialog is corny and doesn't really make sense. This leads to a similarly poorly directed shootout where Simmons Is killed and police seemingly arrest Grillo.
This movie has potential. It obviously had some name actors, though they couldn't do much with what they had to work with. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't quite good either. At least it had somewhat of a happy ending.
..... And just in case you decide to stick around through the credits, don't be fooled by the post credit scene. According to an article I read, it is nothing more than a rehash of an earlier scene in the movie with a local who won a contest acting opposite Caan.
We learn that Powers was working for Grillo in order to get help getting his 16 year old son out of JD. Lo and behold Brisky's mother played by Virginia Madsen is rich and dying, and Brisky can only get her inheritance if she's married.
She and Powers formulate a plan to help each other. Brisky's mother is fond of Powers, and ageees to help, however she passes away before they can get the check for the lawyer. This results in Powers eventually posing as his son's lawyer, with Brisky pretending to be the boys mother, and the judge releasing the son to her custody. The trio decide that they are going to abscond to Costa Rica.
While all of that is going on, we have several poorly written scenes that form a side plot with Simmons and Grillo, over $100,000 that was owed and not paid. The dialog is corny and doesn't really make sense. This leads to a similarly poorly directed shootout where Simmons Is killed and police seemingly arrest Grillo.
This movie has potential. It obviously had some name actors, though they couldn't do much with what they had to work with. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't quite good either. At least it had somewhat of a happy ending.
..... And just in case you decide to stick around through the credits, don't be fooled by the post credit scene. According to an article I read, it is nothing more than a rehash of an earlier scene in the movie with a local who won a contest acting opposite Caan.
Big names are bait, but I don't mind
mr-altex17 April 2023
Grillo and Simmons are headlining this movie but they are basically side characters with no plot. They are the original movers, but the side story is completely useless.
Scott Caan, who is also the writer according to credits wrote for himself a good role. Too bad other parts did not get the same attention. There basically wasn't any plot intertwines between all of them. It pushes everything to. It is happening side by side, but it's no Tarantino.
Marianne Rendón and Scott Caan are the best of this movie and I think this movie is being hold back mostly by the side story that is not involving these two.
Despite that, it is more enjoyable piece by John Swab. Still, a lot of room for improvement.
Scott Caan, who is also the writer according to credits wrote for himself a good role. Too bad other parts did not get the same attention. There basically wasn't any plot intertwines between all of them. It pushes everything to. It is happening side by side, but it's no Tarantino.
Marianne Rendón and Scott Caan are the best of this movie and I think this movie is being hold back mostly by the side story that is not involving these two.
Despite that, it is more enjoyable piece by John Swab. Still, a lot of room for improvement.
Market Cornered on the "F" Word
jayydee39 November 2023
This is really a bad movie. Amateur acting, stupid characters and the "F" word in every second sentence. I quit watching it after the first half hour. So glad that I got the movie free at the library and didn't have to pay to watch this trash. Funny in the British shows you rarely hear the "F" word and if you do it has some meaning, not just throwing it out in every sentence like in this movie. I expected better from Grillo and Simmons but the other actors--so bad ! Amazed that writers and directors can not come up with anything better than this. However, there seem to be more bad movies than good ones these days from Hollywood.
"You might be the worst criminal in the history of the sport."
classicsoncall5 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
There are some absurdist style movies that hit the mark, and others that go nowhere. You could see some of his dad in Scott Caan's mannerisms and style, his character Jackie Powers is the central character in this offbeat, comic drama of an inept hitman who catches love on the fly when he takes a diner waitress (Marianne Rendón) hostage and tries to avoid getting whacked himself when he fails at his first assignment. There's no mistaking that Caan is proud of his rugged, good looks and hunky physique, as he spends a good amount of time shirtless showing himself off. The same could be said for Frank Grillo as gangster boss Pauly Russo, but at least he keeps his shirt on throughout. With Walter Boggs (J. K. Simmons) owing Pauly a hundred grand for gambling losses, it didn't seem like he had a good reason not to pay it back, except for the fact that he was Jackie's failed target and took exception to the idea of getting killed. This would have all been a lot more interesting if there was an actual resolution to the story. Instead, it just sort of peters out when the cops arrive at the gun battle between Walter and Pauly's posse who prove inept in taking down a single, lone old guy. As for Jackie, well, he just kind of peters out as well. And then the movie...
By the way, anyone counting the number of 'f' words in the movie?
By the way, anyone counting the number of 'f' words in the movie?
Just a stinker... Simmons should have known better.
ithinkmyemailaddressis29 September 2023
Yeahup, just a stinker.
Lame plot, with no surprises, except for a dumb ending, comprised of unmemorable characters that behave in manners that are foolish and unrealistic, given that this isn't a comedy, although it seemed to start out like it was in the beginning.
There is nothing that would prompt me to watch this again and I feel robbed of my 1:27 minutes of life. Actually started to fast-forward through parts, which is never a good sign.
Grillo is a B movie star and probably just wanted more credits, screen time and a pay cheque but the big head scratcher is Simmons, as in 'What the heck was he doing in this?'. Must have needed a bit of rent or something.
Way too classy an actor for this stencher. He sleep walks through his lines and still shines in the movie, the little time he has in it.
Never figured out the film titles relevance and couldn't care.
Stay away from this, as it's Once Day As A Turkey.
Lame plot, with no surprises, except for a dumb ending, comprised of unmemorable characters that behave in manners that are foolish and unrealistic, given that this isn't a comedy, although it seemed to start out like it was in the beginning.
There is nothing that would prompt me to watch this again and I feel robbed of my 1:27 minutes of life. Actually started to fast-forward through parts, which is never a good sign.
Grillo is a B movie star and probably just wanted more credits, screen time and a pay cheque but the big head scratcher is Simmons, as in 'What the heck was he doing in this?'. Must have needed a bit of rent or something.
Way too classy an actor for this stencher. He sleep walks through his lines and still shines in the movie, the little time he has in it.
Never figured out the film titles relevance and couldn't care.
Stay away from this, as it's Once Day As A Turkey.
VIEWS ON FILM review of One Day as a Lion
burlesonjesse57 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
2023's One Day as a Lion isn't the worst movie ever made but it certainly won't stay with you after the closing credits come up. 87 minutes roll by and you wonder why known actors like Scott Caan, Frank Grillo, and J. K. Simmons would appear in a crime drama so trivial, so eensy scaled. I mean there are literally scenes where there's no one around in broad daylight except a couple of the main characters. It's like small-town Mayberry without uh, the people of Mayberry.
Getting back to the likes of Caan, Grillo, and Simmons. So did they do this film for a paycheck? Maybe but I'm not sure why. Did they read the script that is basically improvised with F-words instead of actual, biting dialogue? Probably not. And did they listen to their agents a little too closely before grudgingly appearing in "Lion?" That might be a yes. In that case they need to fire said agents and fire them stat!
What we have in One Day as a Lion is a trite Tarantino knock off, lacking Quentin's signature cultural references but full of cringey wide shots, weird camera angles, and line readings that wish they were catchy. And don't get me started on the mob types and crime lords that inhabit the C-movie swipe that is "Lion". They come off as dolts that are each other's only friends. I mean Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield would literally brush these dudes aside like the wind.
Directed by Oklahoma native John Swab and filmed in "The Sooner State" (naturally), One Day as a Lion chronicles nice guy hit-man Jackie Powers (Caan). Powers must swiftly off a crime boss who owns a ranch (again naturally). He is doing this for money to get his son out of jail. When Jackie fails to get the kill, he fears that he'll get killed himself. Does or should the viewer care? Not really. And do "Lion's" plot threads turn into puzzling, loose dead ends? Sadly yes. Disorder of this "day".
Getting back to the likes of Caan, Grillo, and Simmons. So did they do this film for a paycheck? Maybe but I'm not sure why. Did they read the script that is basically improvised with F-words instead of actual, biting dialogue? Probably not. And did they listen to their agents a little too closely before grudgingly appearing in "Lion?" That might be a yes. In that case they need to fire said agents and fire them stat!
What we have in One Day as a Lion is a trite Tarantino knock off, lacking Quentin's signature cultural references but full of cringey wide shots, weird camera angles, and line readings that wish they were catchy. And don't get me started on the mob types and crime lords that inhabit the C-movie swipe that is "Lion". They come off as dolts that are each other's only friends. I mean Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield would literally brush these dudes aside like the wind.
Directed by Oklahoma native John Swab and filmed in "The Sooner State" (naturally), One Day as a Lion chronicles nice guy hit-man Jackie Powers (Caan). Powers must swiftly off a crime boss who owns a ranch (again naturally). He is doing this for money to get his son out of jail. When Jackie fails to get the kill, he fears that he'll get killed himself. Does or should the viewer care? Not really. And do "Lion's" plot threads turn into puzzling, loose dead ends? Sadly yes. Disorder of this "day".
Who said nothing good happens in Oklahoma?
LazyCatCutCoins28 April 2023
There is usually a logical explanation when a movie this good rates this low. Perhaps it was torn to shreds by opposers of its sociopolitical message. But this movie doesn't have a sociopolitical message, so that can't be it. Maybe some don't think actors should write or direct, and instead just stick to acting. But the thing about those people... is that they're idiots. And maybe hater's just gonna hate. Whatever the case, a too large proportion of critiques are made on the basis of the critic's own crippling moral hubris and self-righteous indignation, and not on the quality of the film at all.
Consider this - All of the reviews up to this point rating 7/10 or higher are found to be overwhelmingly "not helpful" by other "users". Every review rating 4/10 or fewer are found to be "helpful" by a landslide. If this doesn't sound fishy to you, you're probably not trying.
Time will tell. By my theory, this movie's obscenely undeserved current rating of 5.2 stars (4/25/2023) will increase significantly over time as genuine reviews roll in and outnumber those of these silly saboteurs.
Why doesn't a person that describes this movie as "Absolutely terrible" include some movie titles that they DO like, so that we might have a point of reference?
Now for something positive - This movie was awesome, and it was fun. IMDb has it categorized as an Action/Thriller, of which it is certainly both, but I don't think it would be a stretch to throw comedy into that mix. It's funny as hell. I'm not enough of a die-hard Scott Caan fan to let him slide on a half -assed script, and fortunately I didn't have to. The dialog was sharp and virtually devoid of cliches or wasted words. It was clever, but not too clever, and that is a hard thing to pull off. He also wrote himself out of his typical menacing stereotype, which I found to be a brave thing to do.
JK Simmons is JK Simmons, and that can never hurt. Same goes for Frank Grillo, Virginia Madsen, and Marianne Rendón, although Marianne Rendón stands alone as the one of the bunch I'd like to see one day become my second wife (please do not tell my current wife). Despite having watched it two days in a row, I could not find a flaw in the acting or the storyline. Without a doubt, a new personal favorite.
I will not attempt to compare this movie with the works of the Coen brothers, Quentin Tarantino or Paul Thomas Anderson, but I will say that if you like the movies that they make, you'll find this one to be anything but "absolutely terrible"
Let the haters win if you must, but if you do, you're going to miss a great movie.
Consider this - All of the reviews up to this point rating 7/10 or higher are found to be overwhelmingly "not helpful" by other "users". Every review rating 4/10 or fewer are found to be "helpful" by a landslide. If this doesn't sound fishy to you, you're probably not trying.
Time will tell. By my theory, this movie's obscenely undeserved current rating of 5.2 stars (4/25/2023) will increase significantly over time as genuine reviews roll in and outnumber those of these silly saboteurs.
Why doesn't a person that describes this movie as "Absolutely terrible" include some movie titles that they DO like, so that we might have a point of reference?
Now for something positive - This movie was awesome, and it was fun. IMDb has it categorized as an Action/Thriller, of which it is certainly both, but I don't think it would be a stretch to throw comedy into that mix. It's funny as hell. I'm not enough of a die-hard Scott Caan fan to let him slide on a half -assed script, and fortunately I didn't have to. The dialog was sharp and virtually devoid of cliches or wasted words. It was clever, but not too clever, and that is a hard thing to pull off. He also wrote himself out of his typical menacing stereotype, which I found to be a brave thing to do.
JK Simmons is JK Simmons, and that can never hurt. Same goes for Frank Grillo, Virginia Madsen, and Marianne Rendón, although Marianne Rendón stands alone as the one of the bunch I'd like to see one day become my second wife (please do not tell my current wife). Despite having watched it two days in a row, I could not find a flaw in the acting or the storyline. Without a doubt, a new personal favorite.
I will not attempt to compare this movie with the works of the Coen brothers, Quentin Tarantino or Paul Thomas Anderson, but I will say that if you like the movies that they make, you'll find this one to be anything but "absolutely terrible"
Let the haters win if you must, but if you do, you're going to miss a great movie.
needs some rewriting
SnoopyStyle8 October 2023
Jackie Powers (Scott Caan) is pushed into a hit on Walter Boggs (J. K. Simmons). He misses badly and kills the cook instead. He takes waitress Lola Brisky (Marianne Rendón) who is the only witness. His son is stuck in jail.
Scott Caan is trying his hand at writing. It's a bit of hit-and-miss. This one is trying to be a sly crime drama. The studio declares this to be an homage to Tarantino and the Coen brothers. That may indeed be the target, but it falls short. The dialogue and the flow need more work. It's a little rough. I do like these actors, even Frank Grillo, but they do struggle with the script.
Scott Caan is trying his hand at writing. It's a bit of hit-and-miss. This one is trying to be a sly crime drama. The studio declares this to be an homage to Tarantino and the Coen brothers. That may indeed be the target, but it falls short. The dialogue and the flow need more work. It's a little rough. I do like these actors, even Frank Grillo, but they do struggle with the script.
Be patient...it a winner
billiehummel15 April 2023
I can tell you I immediately thought I was at the end credits but was just at the beginning. I had to check the time, thinking I maybe accidentally hit a button. Let this be a suggestion for the music dept and whoever does the credits. I almost bailed right then and there. Most boring credits ever. The music in the intro was the worst lobby music that went absolutely no where. Why would you force that suffering on viewers? That being said, it ended up being original and surprising. I did not predict the end which is refreshing. Definitely kept me entertained. A list of top notch leads definitely helped its succession. I watched it alone and laughed out loud once or twice and cried, too. A+ (except the first 2.5 minutes : /
Grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to enjoy this movie!
frank-liesenborgs16 April 2023
If you're a fan of odd gangster comedies, " One Day as a Lion" is a must-watch! This film has it all. Solid direction, great acting performances, and a lovely, offbeat story that keeps you entertained from start to finish. The dialogue is true to life, and the characters are so likeable that you'll find yourself rooting for them throughout the entire movie. What I particularly loved about "The Good" is that it's been a while since I've seen a good gangster comedy that hit all the right notes. But this film did not disappoint, and I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. It's a rare gem that manages to combine humor, action, and heart all in one package. And let's talk about the cast! It's a who's who of A-listers, each delivering top-notch performances that add to the film's overall success. Who does not like Frank Grillo, J. K. Simmons, Scott Caan and Virginia Madsen in the same movie? You won't want to miss a single moment of this clever and delightful flick. So, grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to enjoy this movie, you won't be disappointed!
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