'Another Simple Favor': Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick sequel goes to odd and desperate places
Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick share the screen again for Another Simple Favor, (now on Prime Video), the sequel to Paul Feig's 2018 A Simple Favor, with a story that's even more mad than the first time around. While the original film had a joyously chaotic plot, the new film may have taken the chaos too far.
But to answer one core question, before pressing play on Another Simple Favor, go back and watch the first film. From Hope taking on the identity of Emily (Lively) and triplet with her late siblings Charity and Faith, and mommy influencer Stephanie's (Kendrick) history with Emily's husband Sean (Henry Golding), you'll want that background knowledge to get the most out of the sequel.
Another Simple Favor release date: May 1Where to watch Another Simple Favor: Prime VideoCast: Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, Andrew Rannells, Alex Newell, Kelly McCormack, Michele Morrone, Allison Janney, Elizabeth PerkinsDirector: Paul FeigRuntime: 122
Stephanie has rebranded from mommy influencer to true crime vlogger and has published a book, The Faceless Blonde, about everything we saw unfold in A Simple Favor with the now incarcerated Emily.
But with a dramatic entrance, Emily appears at her book event, inviting Stephanie to Capri, Italy to be her maid of honour in her upcoming wedding to her rich, Italian Mafia fiancée, Dante, (Michele Morrone). Why does Stephanie agree? Emily threatens to sue her for writing a book about her life if she doesn't, while also saying the trip could be great for another book.
As they arrive in Italy, Emily gets a surprise when Dante's mother Portia (Elena Sofia Ricci) invites Emily's estranged mother, Margaret (Elizabeth Perkins, replaced Jean Smart from the first film), and her aunt Linda (Allison Janney).
But soon into the wedding events there's a dead body, which stars us off on the twisty mystery.
What Another Simple Favor really leans into is that Lively is at her best playing an intimidating, almost terrifying, wealthy woman who always gets what she wants, while wearing an over-the-top outfit, usually involved a big hat.
The actor's "don't f**K with me energy" from the first film is on overdrive in the second, which is part of the fun of these stories.
Where Another Simple Favor may lose you is when, nearing the end of the film, the story goes from outrageous to too unhinged. And unhinged can be good, but the story is too messy for the film's twists and turns to feel satisfying. Instead it feels like we're grasping at straws to try to shock the audience, but many moments feel like a cheap attempt at excitement in the film, that really just feel too weird to wrap your head around.
But you can't dispute the fun of watching Lively with Kendrick. Emily and Stephanie are such fun opposites to put together and it's really where the film shines. Kendrick's comedy is spot on, with impeccable timing, and a great pairing for Lively's more intense energy.
Allison Janney and Elizabeth Perkins are, as you'll likely expect, a great duo, but a lot of characters in this story feel underserved for things to do, including Stephanie's book agent Vicky (Alex Newell), who tags along for the trip to Italy.
The first film had a great dark tensions, but that's largely lost in Another Simple Favor, where things just feel too silly. But it's not a film that completely lacks fun, just be prepared to venture through some odd territory as the film leans into silliness.
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