From Laughter to Lessons: Exploring Keke Palmer's & SZA's "One of Those Days" with Tyler Perry's "Straw" Starring: Taraji Henson, Teyana Taylor, Sherri Shepherd, & Rockmond Dunbar Echo Movie Reviews
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
June 9, 2025
Echo News TV LLC
Movie Review/Commentary
At the start of this year, I was convinced that the most culturally relatable movie I'd seen was Netflix's One Of Those Days, starring the ever-talented Keke Palmer, SZA, and Vanessa Bell Calloway. Let's be real—Keke Palmer's movies always bring that perfect mix of heartfelt storytelling and a sprinkle of hip-hop swagger. I know plenty of Black folks who've watched One Of Those Days at least ten times, and let's not even get started on the Church's Chicken Honey Butter Biscuit scene. That cashier and the biscuit burglar? Instant classics.
What makes that scene so hilarious is the way the biscuit thief's running style screams "former football prodigy." You can just tell he spent his childhood training as a wide receiver, dodging defenders like he was born for the NFL. But here's the kicker: his true purpose in life—his greatness—was stolen from him, not by lack of talent, but by systemic discrimination and the lingering effects of Jim Crow policies. It's a sobering reminder of how many young brothers with NFL-level speed and skill have had their opportunities snatched away before they even had a chance to shine.
With all that said, I was sure that One Of Those Days would be Netflix's top movie of the year. That is until I watched Tyler Perry's Straw.
According to an article by John Dillon on Tudum, Netflix describes Straw as a story about someone you've probably walked past on the street. Janiyah, played by the phenomenal Taraji P. Henson, is a classic Tyler Perry heroine: a woman trying to survive against overwhelming odds. In Straw, those odds pile up until Janiyah reaches her breaking point.
"She's just trying to survive, just trying to be a loving mother to her daughter, and then the circumstances in her life cause her to be in this situation," Perry explains. "I think a lot of people around the world, no matter if you're a Black woman or not, will be able to relate to that feeling of, 'I'm at my last straw.'"
Here’s Everything to Know About Tyler Perry’s New Drama "Straw"
By John DiLillo June 6, 2025 https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/straw-tyler-perry-taraji-p-henson-release-date-photos-news
The film follows Janiyah as her world spirals out of control. Her day goes from bad to worse to catastrophic as she struggles to care for her sick daughter while facing eviction. Pushed to the brink by a society that seems indifferent to her existence, Janiyah is forced to make impossible choices in a world that offers her no safety net. And let's talk about the cast. Taraji P. Henson delivers a raw, gut-wrenching performance that will have you feeling every ounce of her pain and resilience. Then there's Teyana Taylor, who absolutely shines as Detective Kay Raymond. Her character is a powerful reminder of why we need more Black representation in America's police forces. Detective Raymond is the kind of forward-thinking, empathetic officer our communities deserve—unlike the self-serving characters like Janiyah's boss, Richard (played by Glynn Turman,) or Detective Grimes (played by Mike Merrill). These two characters embody the kind of apathy and complicity that perpetuate systemic racism and corruption in law enforcement.
Detective Grimes, >_< in particular, is a frustrating figure. He witnesses the blatant racism unfolding in Janiyah's case and does nothing to intervene. His lack of empathy stands in stark contrast to Detective Raymond's unwavering commitment to justice and humanity. Here's the deal: you have to watch Netflix's Straw. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Teyana Taylor, Sherri Shepherd, and Rockmond Dunbar, this film is a must-see. And after you watch it, I promise you'll feel compelled to vote in every election from now on. Why? Because as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The truth will set you free."
Straw is a story that Black women, especially single mothers, will deeply relate to. Tyler Perry has broken the mold with this one, stepping away from feel-good narratives that cater to mainstream America and instead delivering a raw, empathetic story that speaks directly to the Black experience. Thank you, Tyler Perry, for telling a story that makes every Black woman—rich or poor—say, "There but by the grace of God go I. And let me get my butt up to advocate for my Black Brothers and Sisters to make a way out of no way with Jesus the Christ on our side! Amen."
And to our dear Echo readers, if Straw gets too heavy or emotional for you, follow it up with One Of Those Days for a lighter, laugh-out-loud experience.
Thank you for reading The Echo, New Jersey's oldest Black-owned newspaper since 1904.
Stay Black, stay strong, and stay on the path of truth.
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