Another Simple Favor Review: Blake Lively & Anna Kendrick’s Stylishly Silly Sequel

by

Paul Feig’s movie, titled “Another Simple Favor“, follows as a delayed continuation of the 2018 hit “A Simple Favor”. This time around, it offers more fashion, drinks, and intrigue – but with an international twist. Actresses Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively are back to portray their enigmatic friendship, which this time takes a darker turn in the world’s most perilous encounter between a mommy blogger and a femme fatale. The sequel aspires to heighten the tension. Although the outcome is inconsistent at times, “Another Simple Favor” manages to remain delightfully wicked where it counts.

In this sequel, the story unfolds several years after the first installment, where Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick), now an accomplished author, finds her life disrupted once more by the arrival of Emily Nelson (Lively), a master manipulator with a knack for causing chaos. This time around, Emily extends an invitation to Stephanie, asking her to be her maid of honor at what appears to be an unusual wedding – Emily’s nuptials to a suave Italian entrepreneur named Dante Versano (Morrone). Of course, Stephanie harbors doubts and with reason, given Emily’s history. As the setting transitions from suburban Connecticut to picturesque Italy, Another Simple Favor swaps domestic drama for mafia intrigue, ensnaring Stephanie in a complex tangle of deceit, family secrets, and ruthless gangsters armed with guns.

If the initial movie had the feel of a suburban thriller like Gone Girl, but with Feig’s touch of polished black humor, the follow-up takes that structure and amps it up – for both its advantages and disadvantages. The sequel introduces more twists, adopts a more exaggerated tone, and presents a more complex plotline. However, despite the increased confusion, the film maintains a witty humor and a lighthearted ambiance that’s difficult to resist, particularly when the two main characters share the screen.

Blake Lively once more demonstrates her explosive talent for portraying morally ambiguous characters. Emily, as sharp-tongued, enigmatic, and impeccably fashionable as ever, continues to captivate us just as she did in the original. What sets her apart is Lively’s seemingly effortless delivery of each cutting remark. Her allure lies in the fact that she never seems overly conscious of trying to impress. Navigating through mafia conflicts, wedding chaos, and family mysteries with ease while barely breaking a sweat remains exhilarating to watch. It’s delightful to see Lively in a part where she is far from the nicest person present, but instead one of the most dangerous.

As a devoted admirer, I’d say Kendrick masterfully infuses her unique blend of endearing awkwardness into Stephanie. Her delivery is consistently on point, whether she’s panicking in Italian or unraveling a hidden mob connection from someone’s Instagram feed. She’s naturally hilarious, and despite Stephanie’s detective storyline appearing less connected this time, Kendrick carries it with such earnest enthusiasm that you can’t help but cheer her on. However, one of the movie’s major pitfalls is introducing a subplot for Stephanie that seems completely disconnected from the central mystery. It feels as though the writers recognized the need for more personal turmoil for Stephanie midway through production and hastily inserted it. Consequently, the narrative loses some of the tight focus that made the original so compelling.

Essentially, Another Simple Favor struggles due to its overabundance of plot elements. Unlike its predecessor, A Simple Favor, which was a skillfully crafted thriller with a touch of dark comedy, this sequel attempts to cover too many topics. It introduces twists related to mafia family members, long-lost relatives, and unexpected surprises. While some aspects work effectively, most appear as unnecessary complications. The intriguing rivalry between Stephanie and Emily, the main driving force of the initial film, becomes less impactful due to all the extra storylines.

The assortment of secondary characters varies in effectiveness. Henry Golding reappears as Emily’s former spouse Sean, yet his role is limited mainly to reacting angrily to the turmoil. As the cast expands (with Allison Janney, Elena Sofia Ricci, and Elizabeth Perkins joining, replacing Jean Smart), it gives the impression of having too many pieces in a puzzle that’s already complex. Certain characters seem to serve only one specific plot point or information dump, making their presence feel more cluttered than intricate, contributing to a narrative that feels overcrowded rather than multilayered.

Despite its more absurd aspects, Another Simple Favor remains consistently engaging. Feig’s direction is both fashionable and effortless, and the Italian backdrop lends a lavish feel of escapism to the film. In some instances, particularly during the initial hour, the sequel recaptures the same electrifying charm as the original. Although the mystery might not be as captivating, the humor remains just as witty.

In essence, Another Simple Favor doesn’t outshine its previous version, however, it manages to avoid being a complete disappointment. It’s more chaotic, more boisterous, and less polished, yet it remains engaging throughout. The duo of Kendrick and Lively continues to sparkle, and even when the storyline veers off course, their chemistry prevents the film from drifting away. If the initial installment was a sophisticated cocktail, this sequel is an endless mimosa brunch: slightly excessive, excessively fizzy, but equally hard to resist.

SCORE: 6/10

According to the review guidelines on ComingSoon, a rating of 6 means “Decent.” Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite live up to its capabilities and offers an ordinary, unremarkable experience.

Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Another Simple Favor review.

Read More

2025-05-01 15:10