Another Simple Favor

by Tyler Glover

Photo: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick & Allison Janney
Rated: R (violence, sexual content, nudity, language & suicide)
Runtime: 2 hours

 
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be the maid of honor for a bride who tried to frame you for murder? If so, I have a film for you. It’s “Another Simple Favor,” the sequel to 2018’s comedy-thriller “A Simple Favor.”
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In the original, Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) befriends a mysterious woman named Emily (Blake Lively), who goes missing. Shortly after, her body is recovered from a lake. It is eventually revealed that Emily killed her twin sister, Faith, when Faith threatened to go to the authorities about their involvement in their father’s death. Emily decided to fake her death to get a big life insurance policy payout. However, she eventually returned and tried to frame her frenemy for her husband’s murder. Ultimately, Emily was sent to jail.  
 
“A Simple Favor” is the kind of film that you wouldn’t necessarily expect a sequel for. However, “Another Simple Favor” is everything that you expect from its sequel: bigger, crazier, wilder, and in this case, way more convoluted than before.

If you love comedic thrillers with wild plot twists turn after turn, then this is the film for you. At times, I had to pause for just a moment to ensure I fully understood everything going on. I am someone who personally feels like films can be incredibly predictable nowadays. I don’t feel there is any way that every plot twist in “Another Simple Favor” could be predicted. While this film may not seem plausible in real life, the script still delivers an exciting watch.  
 
In “Another Simple Favor,” five years have passed, and Stephanie has written a book about her crazy adventures with Emily. It is not selling as she had expected. At a book signing, Emily surprisingly reappears in Stephanie’s life. She has a request: for Stephanie to be her maid of honor at a wedding in Capri. In real life, we know that there are no circumstances under which Stephanie would say “yes” to this request. However, to set the stakes in the film, Stephanie accepts in hopes that it will boost her book sales and avoid a defamation lawsuit from Emily.  

Lively plays the mysterious figure to near perfection. You have no idea what this loose cannon is going to do next. There is a sense of uncertainty every time Emily is on the screen. Kendrick and Lively have incredible onscreen chemistry in their portrayal of this toxic friendship. Their scenes have comedic elements and intense drama, but the way they maintain the tension between Stephanie and Emily throughout all of this is truly a testament to their incredible acting abilities. 
 
The rest of the cast is spot on too.

The most valuable player, though, is Academy Award winner Allison Janney. Janney’s casting was an excellent choice because Janney has such a lovable presence, but has a way of appearing sinister as well. Janney is both funny and scary, showing us all why she has an Oscar, Golden Globe and seven Primetime Emmy Awards on her shelves.  
 
Audiences are treated to a glimpse of the beautiful tropical paradise of Capri. You will want to take a vacation there immediately. The film doesn’t stop there from being a visual feast, though. The costume designer knew their assignment and got an A+, especially with Lively’s attire. Lively wears a pink rose top with lime green pants and a lime green jacket that will be something I remember for years to come. It was visually stunning. 
 
While “Another Simple Favor” does not produce a very realistic script, the continued adventures of Stephanie and Emily are exciting to watch. Lively and Kendrick continue to captivate us with their portrayal of these complex and compelling women. What is even more exciting is that this sequel concludes in a way that could set up a third film, and director Paul Feig has stated that he would be open to a third installment.

“Another Simple Favor” is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.