A frumpy accountant and her rambunctious older sister compete on a popular game show to cover their mother’s massive gambling debt. Quiz Lady works as a congenial fusion of disparate characters, wacky encounters, sight gags, and clever jabs at Asian racial stereotypes. Stars Awkwafina and Sandra Oh tickle funny bones and warm hearts as stalwart opposites who find common ground. The film does suffer from pacing issues when the humor runs thin to accommodate a predictable narrative. There’s obviously a sprinkle of filler material to cross the finish line. Solid cast chemistry overcomes this flaw to a certain degree.
In 1996 Pittsburgh, Anne Yum (Hailey Perng) watches Can’t Stop the Quiz while her parents argue. She guesses every answer correctly. Her teenaged sister Jenny (Shirley Chen) is too self-obsessed to notice anything. She ignores her new pug puppy, who dutifully sits beside Anne on the couch. They watch as her father angrily storms out. He’s tired of their mother’s gambling addiction and wants a divorce.
Present-day Anne (Awkwafina) peers over her cubicle as everyone in the office celebrates a colleague’s birthday. They’re going to drinks, and she’s not invited. Anne returns home to her daily badgering from an obnoxious neighbor. Busybody Francine (Holland Taylor) always has a complaint. Anne just wants to sit with Mr. Linguini and watch her favorite show. She can’t stand Ron Heacock (Jason Schwartzman). He’s about to break the Can’t Stop the Quiz consecutive wins record. Anne believes he’s a fraud trying to take the beloved host’s job. Terry McTeer (Will Ferrell) has been the only constant since she was a child. To her, he’s the real host.
America’s Favorite Game Show Host
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A call from her mother’s nursing home forces Anne off the couch. It seems her mother’s run away to Macao. The trip brings an unpleasant reunion. Jenny (Oh) has been living in her car. She needs a place to stay while pursuing her career as a life coach. Anne’s tired of supporting her sister but can’t say no. The day gets even worse when Anne’s confronted by her mother’s bookie (Jon “Dumbfoundead” Park). He’s owed $80 thousand and has kidnapped Mr. Linguini as collateral. Where’s she going to get that kind of money to rescue her dog? Jenny has a bonkers idea, but the shy and nervous Anne will finally have to climb out of her shell.
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Quiz Lady milks the standard straight and funny comedy duo aesthetic to the last drop. Jenny is a wild woman getting her hapless sister involved in zany hijinks. Their efforts to get Anne on Can’t Stop the Quiz involves a cross-country trip with zero plans or strategy. This invariably leads to the sisters addressing conflicts that have stewed for years. Anne’s tired of being responsible and footing every bill. Jenny and her mother (Lorna Duyn), who’s never seen and only heard, are freeloading parasites. Jenny counters that Anne’s a bored introvert afraid of everything. She’s never recognized or given Jenny any credit for always looking out for her. They’re both right but are too stubborn and intransigent.
Not to worry folks. Mr. Linguini is never in any real danger. The bookie’s an actual animal lover who spoils the pug more than Anne. A subplot develops of Anne worrying that her almost 20-year-old pooch will end up liking the kidnapper more. This was initially humorous but strays into ridiculous territory as the plot progresses. The script by Jen D’Angelo (Workaholics, Solar Opposites) doesn’t want too much angst in the story. Ron Heacock, the closest character to a true antagonist, couldn’t scare a fly off a wall. There’s a vanilla approach to the supposed baddies that somewhat falls flat.
Unwavering Sisters
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Ferrell is surprisingly tame in a pivotal supporting role. Terry McTeer is Bob Ross as a game show host. He’s exactly as Anne hopes, sweet, kind, and supportive of his biggest fan. I kept waiting for a smarmy comment or dirty innuendo. But the character is a kitten and cotton candy rolled into a bow tie. D’Angelo doesn’t want to ruin Anne’s expectations. She could have gotten additional laughs by making McTeer a tad sleazier.
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Oscar-winner Jessica Yu, known for directing incisive social documentaries (Last Call at the Oasis, Misconception) and a staple of episodic television (Grey’s Anatomy, The Morning Show), plays to the film’s strength. Awkwafina and Oh are extremely likable. They make the most of goofy situational comedy that runs long. For example, Anne hallucinating after guzzling Jennie’s drug stash gets silly fast. But the sisters honestly caring for each other infuses a current of genuine bonding. Their love is unwavering, warts and all.
Paul Reubens, the brilliant Pee-wee Herman, has a fantastic cameo in his final screen performance. It’s bittersweet watching him, but he’s hilarious to the end. Quiz Lady gives the cultural icon a wonderful goodbye.
Quiz Lady is a production of 20th Century Studios and Gloria Sanchez Productions. It will have a November 3rd streaming premiere exclusively on Hulu in the U.S., Star+ in Latin America, and Disney+ under the Star banner in all other territories.
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