Latest news with #TheFacelessBlonde
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'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.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Another Simple Favour movie review: Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reprise their roles in the sequel that adds more twists
Another Simple Favour movie review: In this sequel to A Simple Favour (2018), the story shifts to the gorgeous Italian island Capri, surrounded by azure waters, from the cozy Connecticut suburb while retaining its pulpy tone and holding promises of multiple twists and turns. Never once the dark comedy, with a warped female-friendship at its centre, lets the audience be lulled by the fairytale-like setting. As Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) are back together — this time, as a maid of honour and to-be-bride — deception and vendetta are expected to spice up the cat-and-mouse game between them. As the two leading actresses reprise their roles, they do what they do best — Lively struts around in bejewelled stilettos and attention-grabbing couture while Kendrick channels her 'desperate housewife' vibes. Stephanie is not seeking constant validation now that she has gained recognition as a 'mommy blogger' and self-appointed sleuth who tries to solve local crimes. She, however, is desperate to boost the sale of her book 'The Faceless Blonde', which is based on Emily and her unlawful activities. When Emily, who was imprisoned for murdering her father and her twin sister, walks into Stephanie's book reading at a store, and asks her to be her maid of honour at her wedding in Capri with a mob heir, Stephanie sees this as an opportunity to sell more copies. She even sees the possibility of writing another book based on her favourite subject — Emily — even though she suspects Emily is plotting revenge against her. (L to R) Blake LIvely, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell and Anna Kendrick in Another Simple Favor. The film retains its vigour as long as these two are engaged in a game of one-upmanship and quick on repartee. Some scenes border on being slapstick while some demand suspension of disbelief. Strangely, Kendrick and Lively in spite of sharing what can be described as a 'toxic' friendship are connected to each other. They make their connection believable. Both their characters are capable of doing something bizarre and introduce a turn in the narrative. It is this unpredictability that keeps the film edgy. Kendrick, especially shines in the scenes where she doggedly tries to capitalise on her weird scenario by vlogging or going after things that might prove to be too dangerous for her. Lively's performance brings out Emily's slyness while her fashion game remains top-notch. While A Simple Favour's climax packed some crazy revelations and actions, the last half an hour of the sequel becomes a victim of its makers' ambition to dial up the thrill. Writers (Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis) cram the story with too many twists, turns and complex sibling emotions. With that, the narrative runs out of steam and drags. Yet, the sequel bears the familiarity of the original's tone and manages to weave an enjoyable thriller around two flawed mothers. It lets women be mean, manipulative, dangerous as well as loving and caring. With that, they are doing a favour when it comes to breaking the mould of women characters in a typical entertaining movie.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blake Lively speaks of ‘revenge' in trailer for A Simple Favour sequel
Blake Lively speaks of 'revenge' in a teaser trailer for psychological thriller Another Simple Favour, also starring Anna Kendrick. It comes amid her legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, who filed a counter-suit after Lively sued the film star and several others tied to the film. Lively, 37, and Pitch Perfect actress Kendrick, 39, starred in 2018's A Simple Favour which followed Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick), a single mother running a parenting vlog who befriends Lively's character, Emily Nelson, a rich and secretive PR director, who suddenly disappears. The trailer for the sequel shows the return of Emily as she invites Stephanie to the island of Capri in Italy for her extravagant wedding. The teaser to the film starts with Emily strutting through Stephanie's book-reading from her novel, The Faceless Blonde. Reading a snippet of her book, Stephanie says: 'I think about her all the time, the faceless blonde I thought I knew. Was she a glamorous PR executive or a cold-blooded killer?' In comes Emily who invites Stephanie to her wedding with Stephanie asking, 'Why am I here?' while on the island. Emily replies: 'You think I invited you because I want revenge, for stealing my life and taking my kid away from me? You think I want to make you pay?' The trailer shows a montage of explosions, glamorous parties, and a body on a stretcher, along with the words 'revenge is a dish best served chilled, with a twist'. Another Simple Favour comes out on Prime Video on May 1.
