Hulu Summary:
A game-show-obsessed woman and her estranged sister work together to help cover their mother’s gambling debts.
FYA Summary:
Anne grew up with game show host, Terry McTeer, on Can’t Stop the Quiz serving as her surrogate caregiver as her dad walked out, her mom fell into gambling, and her sister ran off as soon as she could leave the house. As an adult, she thrives on her daily routines and in her boring-but-safe CPA job. But when Anne’s lovable dog gets taken for ransom, she needs to find a way to raise money fast to pay for her mom’s gambling debts, and her sister, Jenny, has a brilliant idea—go on Anne’s favorite game show and win big! Despite being a total quiz whiz from her couch, Anne is definitely not cool with going on live TV, but when Jenny’s recording of her rapid-fire answering questions goes viral, life gets REAL crazy—but also REAL interesting.
Familiar Faces:
Awkwafina as Anne Yum and Sandra Oh as Jenny Yum
TIL that Awkwafina’s real name is Nora Lum. She has one of those vibes about her where if you told me her legal name was Awkwafina from birth I wouldn’t bat an eyelash (see also: Lady Gaga). I don’t always care for her comedy—often it just feels like yelling = must be funny, and I do not forgive her and LMM for that rap in The Little Mermaid—but she tones it down playing the mostly straight (wo)man against Oh, and I liked her character’s evolution.
I love seeing Sandra Oh pop up in things; she did the smart thing and got out of Grey’s Anatomy at the right time. (Though I’m sorry, Sandra, I tried but couldn’t get into Killing Eve.) Because of Cristina Yang I tend to illogically think of Sandra Oh as a “serious” person, but she is so great at goofy comedy, and her character Jenny is really the most ridiculous.
Will is supposed to be this universe’s Alex Trebeck, but I’ve seen him play the “nice guy is secretly a villain” roles before, so I kept wondering if his congenial game-show host was going to be a secret jerk (spoiler: he isn’t, and his moments with Awkwafina are actually very sweet).
Jason Schwartzman as Ron Heacock
Instead, it’s Schwartzman’s (I assume) Ken Jennings-esque, highest-winning, long-standing contestant who is angling for a hosting gig who gets to be the passive-aggressive man-baby.
Plus other notable cameos from the likes of Tony Hale and Holland Taylor and Alan Cumming! (Or…is it Alan Cumming?)
Couch-Sharing Capability: What Is “By Yourself”?
I don’t think this is the kind of movie you need to wait to watch with anyone. It’s perfect for an afternoon alone when you want to paint your nails and have something on in the background, for a completely random and non-specific example.
Recommended Level of Inebriation: What Is “Depends On Your Trauma”?
I am an only child and my parents are together and supportive, so I sympathized but didn’t exactly relate to Anne and Jenny’s isolating and lonely upbringing. Some may relate harder to their situation and find the movie a bit more challenging to get through and may want to self-medicate during those parts.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: What Is “Good”?
It still feels rare enough to find a movie written and directed by women that I feel it must be pointed out. This was funny, at times a little silly and over-the-top, but it didn’t skimp on the heart as the two sisters resolved their issues and slowly grew closer together. We’re the real winners!
