The initial concept held some appeal, though the humor felt repetitive after about thirty minutes. "Tommy" (Jake Johnson) receives an invitation to a clandestine gathering where two individuals present him with the possibility of winning $1 million—provided he can endure a perilous game lasting one month. To claim the reward, his survival depends on evading numerous pursuers attempting to eliminate him. His safety is…

The concept behind Self Reliance is interesting, but in the end, it doesn't take enough risks. Jake Johnson’s first time directing a film would have benefited from more boldness and sharpness. While he delivers solid acting – Anna Kendrick really stands out – and demonstrates his writing abilities effectively, even if those talents aren’t fully utilized given the story’s unrealized possibilities, the movie is held ba…