Tough love
‘Daily Show’ star Williams tackles dating in Netflix comedy
Jessica Williams tries to reinvent herself and the romantic-comedy in “The Incredible Jessica James” (film streaming tomorrow on Netflix). From Williams' brilliant years as a correspondent on Comedy Central's “The Daily Show,” you don't expect her to star in just any ol' typical romantic-comedy. Williams, who also serves as executive producer, is game to play with the tropes of the genre. This heroine is looking as much to get over love as find love.
In this approximately 90-minute film written by Jim Strouse, Williams plays Jessica, a struggling New York playwright embarking on a new romance while trying to make sense of her feelings for her ex.
As the film opens, Jessica is meeting other guys online and using them to make her ex-boyfriend Damon (Lakeith Stanfield, “Atlanta”) jealous.
She's also a bit of a Mean Girl to the new girlfriend.
“Hi, I'm Heather,” the woman introduces herself.
“I'm sure you are,” Jessica says.
Later, her best pal Tasha (Noel Wells, “Master of None”) encourages her to stop moping — and stop harassing strangers with the story of her breakup — and go on a real date.
“Dating is the worst,” Jessica protests. “Have you ever actually seen a man eat? There's never been a grosser thing, and I've seen a live birth.”
The date, with newly divorced app creator Boone (Chris O'Dowd, “Bridesmaids”), is awkward. He wonders if she wrote “Hamilton.” He decides she's the complete opposite of his ex-wife.
“What, is she dumb, short and fugly?” Jessica wonders.
Against her better judgment, the two end up in bed.
Recognizing neither one is in the best possible head space, they decide to follow each other's ex on social media and keep the other informed. This leads to another booty call.
“Just because you catch a unicorn in the wild doesn't mean you get to tap it whenever you want, buddy,” she says to Boone.
If only that unicorn kept running.
Here's the film's biggest problem: Williams and O'Dowd have zero chemistry. There's just nothing going on between them. She and Stanfield, on the other hand, sizzle. You can't help wishing their characters would just get over themselves and get back together already. Or just spend more time together because they are far more ship-worthy than anybody else here.
In a subplot that almost overdoses on cuteness, Jessica leads a playwriting workshop for children and tries to motivate one student to find her own voice. It's sweet, but not especially compelling.
Jessica also finds time to attend her sister's baby shower, where she gives her a book: “The ABCs of Subverting the Patriarch Paradigm.”
She drew the pictures herself.
The ending may leave you relieved you're done with Jessica James' story, but Jessica Williams?
Here's to more on-screen adventures.