Director Robert James delivers a scrappy indie comedy with 15 Days, a low-budget look at two friends navigating the absurd realities of the early COVID lockdowns. In March 2020, roommates Lia (Kenzie Marie) and Kali (Cameron Bailey) are servers at a popular local bar and hangout, going about their usual day serving customers and dealing with petty drama. Kali stops a phone thief at one moment and then proposes combining three awkwardly themed promotion nights at another. The next day, their world is flipped upside down as COVID lockdowns begin. With the bar closed and “15 days to flatten the curve” in full swing, the two friends find themselves stuck at home with no income and a lot of free time.
Initially, Lia and Kali pass the time with video games, oddball routines, and questionable movie nights. Their finances take a hit as the shutdown drags on after the promised 15 days. Attempts to find work are met with disaster, including a failed stint with the U.S. Census, ending with them being held at gunpoint over immigration questions. With bills piling up, the pair turns to more desperate measures. A shady “friend” connects them to underground clients offering cash for ‘dancing’ gigs, which end badly. They’re then hired to serve drinks at an exclusive players club—only to find out it’s closed the night they show up.
As their final shot at stability, Lia and Kali hope to win big in a poker game at the club. Their target: the reigning champ and club bully, Jordona (Angeline Wolff). The film follows their chaotic attempts to outwit and outplay their competition, offering a comedic glimpse into the unpredictable hustle of two friends trying to survive one of the most uncertain moments in modern history.
“…navigating the absurd realities of the early COVID lockdowns…”
15 Days simply oozes with low-budget indie fun. It’s not quite the cinematic masterpiece you hope for, but a comedic look into what many of us went through trying to survive financially during lockdown…ugh. The fun of the film is Kenzie Marie and Cameron Bailey as Lia and Kali. They are not exactly Meisner-trained actors, but they bring an every-person appeal to the role. What is clear is that director Robert James wanted to make a movie and indict our state and local government for forcing hundreds of thousands of restaurants to close over their short-sighted decision around COVID.
The director revealed the film was made for just $12,000, and it looks surprisingly good for its budget. There’s a charm to the unpolished final film, while performing a few camera tricks to make the cardroom set feel more expensive than it was. Kudos for making the card dealers deal hands right. That said, the film’s depiction of poker includes a few frustrating ‘slow rolls’—a faux pas for any seasoned card player.
Ultimately, 15 Days is a series of scenes about the everyday life and friends of its two lead characters during lockdown. Director Robert James keeps the focus tight on Lia and Kali’s bond, even as they stumble from one misadventure to the next. While the filmmaking may be rough around the edges, there’s undeniable charm in the chemistry between the leads and the film’s DIY spirit.
"…a charm to the unpolished final film..."
