Another Simple Favour: Film Review
If you thought the first A Simple Favour was crazy, brave yourselves for the wild, unhinged turns in Another Simple Favour.
It’s been five years since the events of the first film, and mommy vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) is now an author and private detective. At a book signing event, Stephanie is surprised by the arrival of Emily (Blake Lively), who has been released from prison on appeal. She’s about to marry a wealthy Italian man named Dante (Michele Morrone) and wants Stephanie to be her maid of honour at their lavish wedding in Capri.
First of all, how does a criminal imprisoned for killing multiple people get released? How is she allowed to leave the US and fly to Italy? There are major implausible plot developments right from the start, and they get increasingly illogical as the film progresses. If you can let these ludicrous twists and turns wash over you, then you might be able to enjoy it – because it is entertaining in its particular way – but the suspension of disbelief required here was too much for me!
I liked some elements of Paul Feig‘s film. It is gorgeous to look at thanks to the stunning Italian landscapes and Lively’s jaw-dropping high-fashion wardrobe. I also enjoyed Kendrick’s performance and appreciated how Stephanie has become more confident and assertive and is fed up with Emily’s BS. She is aware of how ridiculous the situation is. She and Lively exchange lots of witty but mean-spirited put-downs and have good chemistry.
The biggest issue is, of course, the nonsense plot. But I have a couple of other gripes – Allison Janney‘s Aunt Linda and Henry Golding‘s Sean are both terribly written. Sean has become this cruel drunk, which is really sad to see considering how normal he was in the first film. Also, Aunt Linda is a very thin stereotypical character whose motivations are not explained sufficiently.
I didn’t think A Simple Favour was screaming out for a sequel and now that I’ve seen it, I can confirm that it wasn’t necessary. No amount of gorgeous clothes and scenery can make up for the insane soap opera-level plot.
Now streaming on Prime Video