The Wrong Missy (2020)

Tim thinks he's invited the woman of his dreams on a work retreat to Hawaii, realizing too late he mistakenly texted someone from a nightmare blind date.

Jess’ Review

I was hugely sceptical when Sam suggested this film. Not only did it seem somewhat out of character for him, but I’d heard it’d been torn apart by critics. I was about the judge the sh-t out of whoever had recommended it to him. But to my surprise, it came praised by Tom Segura. I figured it can’t be that bad then, let’s give it a go!

Oh dear Tom.

The film follows the story of divorcee David Spade and the disaster that ensues as a result of accidentally inviting a bad date to a work getaway. It’s dumb. And it epitomises that goofy Adam Sandler kind of comedy in its unrelenting entirety. I was apprehensive after the opening 10 minutes, and close to suggesting we shut it off in the five minutes that followed. But we persevered, and whilst it’s not an easy ride by any means, it’s not wholly awful.

Ridiculous, yes, with a script that borderlines painful at times, but admittedly entertaining. Amidst the ludicrous gross-out scenes designed to make you cringe, I actually did find myself chuckling a few times. I do enjoy an amount of stupid comedy, and confess that whilst the quality most definitely fluctuated the film was quite funny. Lauren Lapkus’ Missy is extreme in every way and supplied the majority of the laughs, quickly stealing the screen with her chaotic vibrancy. She’s becomes almost as likeable as much as she’s infuriating.

The script is weak and the storyline cliche as you’d expect. It’s unbelievable in more than just the obvious sense, and adopts the familiar rom-com pattern we’ve seen a thousand times before with an added sprinkling of insanity. It helps it stand out in fairness, but it’s nothing new or fresh for the industry. Sandler fans will enjoy it, and those who find comedy in the absurd, but don’t expect much in the way of engagement. It’s a dumb film with dumb comedy, dumb dialogue and even dumber scenes. It’s not trying to be anything more.

The acting is ok, over-the-top and theatrical- but in fairness, does anyone care? The audience is left divided, one half chuckling uncomfortably alongside Missy’s capers and the other checking the time, wondering if it’s too late for a refund. All in all, not entirely dreadful but also nothing worth sacrificing your time for.

5/10

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Sam’s Review

This is one of those rubbish reviews, mirroring the lacklustre film which is under the microscope. Obviously The Wrong Missy is not a great film - I wouldn't even call it good, honestly - and so there is no need to lavish it with praise. Nor was it awful enough to stoke a passionate teardown. It was simply the wrong film, at least for me. Tom Segura, Mr. Ladybug himself, suggested it to the masses on an episode of his podcast, which allowed me to put my Sandler-prejudices aside. (He produces the film.) I was safe and secure in the knowledge that Tom had said this was a sure thing... I am disappointed, Tom.

What is there to say? It's an obvious premise, with obvious jokes and an obvious ending. David Spade's Tim invites troubled Missy (Lauren Lapkus) to a company retreat, believing to have invited a different woman, also named Missy. Good premise, but there’s not much in the way of an arc. The plot is more like a flatline. At times, I was left cringing by the awkwardness of it all. Perhaps I am overly critical since - and there's a chance that this isn't a direct quote (or even true) - Tom Segura assured fans that this was the best film of the decade. My expectations were up, and I continued to wait for that pivotal moment when the film became funny and I would understand why Segura was into it. It never came. Instead, I watched a bland film with an insultingly obvious plot and jokes that were immature and often failed to land.

I find Spade incredibly quick-witted and likable in interviews, and very talented comedically. It's just a shame that he seems to waste it on such goofy humour.

I gave it a chance, I really did. And I wanted it to work. Yet it was so forgettable that I struggle to find the emotion to critique it. Netflix can do better, I am worried that Sandler (for all of his talent) cannot.

3.5/10