In the 80s the college “one crazy night” comedy would feature buddies being drunk pervs and landing the girl with everything working out in the end. Films like ‘Animal House’ and ‘Porky’s’ come to mind when you think of that type of college film. Those films haven’t aged all that well with rampant sexism and racisms throughout many of those films.
In Carey William’s film, ‘Emergency’ we meet Kunle, a do-good med student who is so clean cut he might as well be Mr. Clean (bad joke), and his wildcard best friend Sean. Together, they’ve seen it all growing up as best friends but as is life, they’re beginning to grow apart. As college draws to an end, Sean creates a plan for them to do what no other black student has done, a night of partying at all the houses on campus.
Before they can get the night going, Kunle has to stop back at their place only to discover a passed out, young white woman on their floor. They have no idea who she is or how she got there. The two of them bicker with their roommate, Carlos, about what they should do. Kunle suggests the obvious, call 911 because “We didn’t do anything wrong” but it’s 2022 and Sean knows that it’s going to be impossible to convince the police that this woman just appeared out of nowhere. After a lot of discussions they decide to take her to the nearby hospital but take back roads in case they get caught.
Meanwhile, the girl’s sister Sabrina is on a mission to find her missing sister and is tracking her phone.
As with the best buddy comedies, the film works best when Kunle and Sean are given moments with just the two of them trying to figure the night out. And the chemistry between actors Donald Elise Watkins and RJ Cyler is undeniable.
As the night goes on and each attempt to make a good decision goes awry, the boys find themselves in over their heads. Inner turmoil in the group spills out into the problem at head, sending Sean out on his own. Eventually, a medical emergency changes the dynamic and sends the boys directly into the people they’ve been avoiding this entire time, the police.
Filmmaker Carey Williams finds unique ways to tell a story about race in America using a tried and true genre with a sharp screenplay and fast direction that keeps audiences on their toes. An important story told with authenticity and excitement.
The story raises many questions about our world in 2022. Had any of this truly been a problem if they were able to trust authority? If they could get past their own issues and truly trust each other?
‘Emergency’ is a confident, important and funny film that deserves your attention and aims to keep you entertained throughout the run time.
‘Emergency’ screened at the SXSW 2022 Film Festival and will be released later this year by Amazon Studios.
