‘Another Simple Favor’ Review: Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively Return for Paul Feig’s Silly and Sometimes Trying Sequel

by

Prior to the SXSW debut of “Another Simple Favor”, Paul Feig confessed that he was hesitant about creating a sequel for his 2018 enigmatic mystery film, “A Simple Favor”. In the eyes of many, including Feig himself, sequels often fail to match the quality of their original counterparts.

Regrettably, “Another Simple Favor” doesn’t buck the trend; luckily, this won’t deter fans of the initial film. By resurrecting one of the more contentious friendships seen in recent cinema, director Feig brings back two stars whose dynamic adds an intriguing touch to this convoluted, at times absurd, and occasionally challenging movie.

Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick once again take on their roles as two women who initially bonded over a crime, later engaging in other illegal activities. In the final scenes of “A Simple Favor“, Emily (Lively) is sent to prison, while Stephanie (Kendrick) starts working as a private detective. This new occupation adds excitement to her mommy vlog, making it more intriguing and widely popular.

The story Another Simple Favor, penned by Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis, unfolds a few years following the events previously mentioned. Stephanie has recently published a book chronicling her extraordinary friendship with Emily, and is now arranging for her son Miles (Joshua Satine) – an intelligent teenager saddled with the role of advancing the plot – to attend summer camp. Additionally, she’s bid farewell to her true-crime investigations and closed down her vlog. Although sales for her book are disappointing, Stephanie can’t help but sense a lack of purpose in her life, whether she acknowledges it or not.

It’s quite fortunate that Emily shows up at Stephanie’s underattended book launch, where she requests to be Stephanie’s maid of honor for her upcoming wedding. Her fiancé is a wealthy and enigmatic Italian (Michele Morrone) in Capri. Though Stephanie harbors suspicions, her agent Vicky (Alex Newell), who believes this adventure would benefit the mommy vlogger’s brand, encourages her to join in.

The remainder of the story unfolds on the well-known island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, where Stephanie discovers that Emily’s new partner, Dante, is a powerful mafia figure. This relationship puzzles her even more, but if viewers have taken anything away from ‘A Simple Favor’, it’s that things are rarely as they appear.

Director Feig heightens the absurdity, cranking up the zany elements to an outrageous degree. The plot spirals into increasingly bizarre twists, the flashiness borders on garish, and Emily’s hats become more extravagant and unruly (the exceptional costume design is by Renee Ehrlich Kalfus). Returning with cinematographer John Schwartzman, Feig constructs the movie around its most ridiculous scenes. Unlike A Simple Favor, Another Simple Favor aims to be undeniably over-the-top and campy. When Emily struts into Stephanie’s book talk in a gray prison-like ensemble, adorned with silver chains and earrings resembling disassembled handcuffs, the film makes it clear that it’s joining in on the fun. It’s almost as if Feig is telling us, “let’s not take this too seriously, let’s just enjoy the ride.

The initial appeal of the setting is undeniable, particularly when Stephanie greets Emily’s son Nicky (Ian Ho) and other guests in Capri. There’s a touch of warmth in her reunion with Nicky, who sports flaming red tips on his hair and black-painted nails, reminiscing about missing Miles. Stephanie’s interactions with Sean (Henry Golding), Emily’s ex-husband and once Stephanie’s suitor, are less endearing. He openly admits to being discontented, and following a failed advance towards Stephanie, he spends the initial days of the celebration venting spiteful, intoxicated rants. Golding gets an opportunity to showcase his versatility in this role by portraying a detestable character without restraint.

In addition to Lorenzo de Moor, head of a competing mob family, other attendees include Dante’s mom, Portia (portrayed by Elena Sofia Ricci), Emily’s mother (Elizabeth Perkins), and her aunt (Allison Janney). Each of these supporting characters gets their moment in the spotlight, and the actors bring their scenes to life. Particularly noteworthy are Elizabeth Perkins and Allison Janney, who add unique flair to this unforgettable family gathering. Notably, Anita Pititto’s performance as a hotel maid also leaves a lasting impression.

The amusing subplots featuring secondary characters keep audiences engaged, effectively camouflaging the somewhat weak storyline of “Another Simple Favor“. The movie begins at full speed, leaving little room for further development. As the plot progresses, certain elements are introduced, abandoned, and revisited haphazardly. This is further exacerbated by the excessive use of expository dialogue in the script, which makes some scenes feel rigid and formulaic. The final act, unfortunately, takes a rather baffling, almost frantic turn.

The sudden demise of a guest stirs up the wedding gathering and revives Stephanie’s long-dormant detective work. She becomes more attentive to her surroundings and the other guests. At the same time, she ponders over her relationship with Emily, whose invitation seemed both sincere and menacing.

As a die-hard fan, I’d say the bond between these two characters remains the heart of the “Simple Favor” world, and they’re the main reason why I find myself drawn to “Another Simple Favor”. Emily Blunt and Anna Kendrick slip back into their roles with the assurance and zest of seasoned actors. Kendrick’s humor feels sharper than ever, and it’s clear that Blunt is enjoying every moment. It’s a pity, though, that the intricacies of their characters and their friendship aren’t more fully explored in this sequel. Instead, it seems like the story overemphasizes outlandish events to keep things going, almost losing sight of the foundation – the bond between these two women – upon which it was built.

Read More

2025-03-08 08:54