(L to R) Gina Rodriguez as Mack, Augustus Prew as Brannagan, Joel Courtney as Little and Damon Wayans Jr. as Adam in ‘Players.’ Photo: K.C. Bailey/Netflix ©2023.
On Netflix on Wednesday February 14th, ‘Players’ might otherwise seem to be an attempt to resuscitate the romantic comedy genre. But, combined with the cinematic success of ‘Anyone But You’ and the lack of real effort on display here, it’s less a home run and more a strike out.
And that’s despite committed performances from the likes of Gina Rodriguez, Damon Wayans Jr. and Tom Ellis.
Does ‘Players’ score?
(L to R) Gina Rodriguez as Mack and Damon Wayans Jr. as Adam in ‘Players.’ Photo: K.C. Bailey/Netflix ©2023.
‘Players’ rather suffers by comparison to some other, better romantic comedies that have used the concept to much better effect. The likes of ‘Hitch’ already tackled the idea of finding a creative way into a connection with the opposite sex, though that Will Smith movie was more about finding love than a simple hookup.
And while the new movie has a cast that have all proven entertaining in other projects, this one proves to be something of a letdown in the genre, as the scheming, untrustworthy characters don’t justify the story’s support of their behavior, making for a somewhat sour experience for the viewer despite the entirely predictable and saccharine ending.
Script and Direction
(L to R) Liza Koshy as Ashley, Joel Courtney as Little, Gina Rodriguez as Mack and Damon Wayans Jr. as Adam in ‘Players.’ Photo: K.C. Bailey/Netflix ©2023.
‘Players’ script, written by Whit Anderson (who has mostly worked in more dramatic territory on TV, including for shows such as ‘Daredevil’ –– in its Netflix incarnation –– and ‘Ozark’), follows a very well-known rom-com path. In fact, so familiar is it that we’d predict you’ll figure out exactly how it’ll all end up by roughly the second scene. So telegraphed is the true relationship in the film that the rest of the movie feels like it has a giant, ticking neon-colored clock hanging over the characters in question. And no matter how many obstacles the plot throws in their way, the result is truly never in doubt.
Yet it’s also a problem that despite the script looking to convince us that these characters should be together, their connection is so obviously cribbed from other movies (‘When Harry Met Sally’ called, it wants its big New Year speech back) that it’s more annoying than it is charming.
It also falls into the trap of overstuffing on the minor character front, with one tiny role coming across as a direct lift from ‘Office Space’, even if the character doesn’t speak (and certainly doesn’t possess the weird, kooky, unique charisma of Stephen Root).
Director Trish Sie, who made the likes of ‘Pitch Perfect 3’, ‘Sitting in Bars with Cake’ and ‘The Sleepover’, here seems to sleepwalk through the formula, putting the pieces together with enough skill that it has the appearance of a rom-com, but never quite finding the way to making it seem fresh and innovative.
Gender-flipping the main character to have our hookup-happy romantic lead be female (and one that at least mostly doesn’t just come across as a male role re-written for woman) can only carry you so far; if the narrative doesn’t convince, no amount of window dressing will work.
Performances
(L to R) Liza Koshy as Ashley, Gina Rodriguez as Mack and Augustus Prew as Brannagan in ‘Players.’ Photo: K.C. Bailey/Netflix ©2023.
Gina Rodriguez has long proved she knows how to be a romantic lead, and since her big break out in ‘Jane the Virgin’, she’s also been adept at developing her career and making other types of roles work. But with ‘Players’ Mack, she’s saddled with a character who is unworthy of her talents. Initially introduced as a woman who isn’t interested in long-term romance, she’s also someone who cherishes her parents’ relationship. While it’s perfectly natural for someone to be complicated, here it mostly seems forced and too convenient.
She has energy and charm to spare, but she can’t make us believe that she’s in love with the person that the movie wants to point to as her soulmate even as she sets her sights on Tom Ellis’ hunky war correspondent –– the chemistry is simply not there in either case.
As Adam, Damon Wayans Jr. plays his role with his typical charisma, but he’s not really given much to use. Adam is a funny, loyal friend, but you can tell his true feelings from moment one.
Ellis brings the British accent and scruffy stubble that made audiences enjoy his work on ‘Lucifer’, but Nick is more of a plot element than he is a real character, and even his best efforts can’t convince us that he’s anything more than that.
Outside of the main trio, Augustus Prew’s Brannagan appears to have wandered in from a Judd Apatow movie (with all the baggage that implies), while Joel Courtney as his brother Little and Liza Koshy as Ashley, the personal assistant to Mack, Bran and Adam’s boss (who strikes up a relationship with Little) are entertaining enough.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) Joel Courtney as Little, Liza Koshy as Ashley, Gina Rodriguez as Mack, Augustus Prew as Brannagan and Damon Wayans Jr. as Adam in ‘Players.’ Photo: K.C. Bailey/Netflix ©2023.
‘Players’ is almost more disappointing because of the caliber and efforts of its cast. The story’s a mish-mash of references to other movies and the story meanders along to a totally predictable finale.
This is not one we can really recommend for a date night in –– there are many other better choices if you’re after a little Netflix and chill.
‘Players’ receives 5.5 out of 10 stars.
What’s the story of ‘Players’?
New York sportswriter Mack (Gina Rodriguez) has spent years devising successful hook-up “plays” with best friend Adam (Damon Wayans Jr.) and their crew. While it has led to countless one-night stands over the years, following their playbook comes with a strict set of ground rules — chief among them: you can’t build a relationship from a play. When Mack unexpectedly falls for her latest target, charming war correspondent Nick (Tom Ellis), she begins to rethink the game entirely. As the lines between work, fun, friendship, and romance begin to blur, Mack must learn what it takes to go from simply scoring to playing for keeps.
Who else is in ‘Players?
The movie’s cast also includes Joel Courtney, Augustus Prew, Liza Koshy, Ego Nwodim, and Marin Hinkle.
(L to R) Augustus Prew as Brannagan, Damon Wayans Jr. as Adam, Gina Rodriguez as Mack, Liza Koshy as Ashley and Joel Courtney as Little in ‘Players.’ Photo: K.C. Bailey/Netflix ©2023.
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