Another Simple Favor learned some lessons from The Equalizer. Yes, that Paul Feig/Antoine Fuqua idea pollination you never saw coming. Frankly, sequels to surprise hits are more than likely going to be worse than the original because people are primed to your schemes. And yet Another Simple Favor rises above it, well because, as Denzel learned: when in doubt, just go to Italy!
Not that Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) wants to go. She’s mostly ok in her current life as a mommy vlogger, author, and detective on the side. Ok, that is…until Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) shows up at one of Stephanie’s book readings, openly blackmailing her to be the maid of honor at Emily’s wedding. So off Stephanie goes to Capri with her publicist Vicky (Alex Newell). To an Italian island. With Emily, her fiancé Dante (Michele Morrone), the mother in law Portia (Elena Sofia Ricci), and Emily’s ex husband Sean (Henry Golding). What could go wrong?
Everyone kinda forgets there was a time Paul Feig was a really hot directing commodity. From 2011 to 2018 he was making some of the funniest stuff out there, even strongly considered to direct a Bond film with how well he directed some of the action comedies that made him a directing sensation. That bravado is back on display here…with a strong assist to Amazon’s wallet. Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick are beautiful stars…so it’s only fitting they get filmed in a place as beautiful as they are, even moreso. Feig makes the most of it, channeling the great spy capers of old having people tail other people through timeless streets, adorable shops, wearing clothing that will make you cry, or make you blush with some of those “Blake Lively is also a smokeshow” choices. But Feig isn’t content to just nostalgically wax on To Catch a Theif: he’s there to put his spin on it. That spin though doesn’t quite mix as well as he wants, with real dark stuff immediately followed but loosey goosey joke sniping, but it’s bold, and occasionally he finds some gold nuggets while dining under a sea of floral majesty.
And the best parts of A Simple Favor he leaves as is, understanding the essence of the fun. The reason this got a sequel is cause of how electric Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively are together. The dynamics are different in this one, with Kendrick’s Stephanie more assured than she was in the 2018 film. This makes Lively elevate her game in new ways as well, with the big parts of the third act showing off skills I didn’t think she really possessed as an actress, but give the movie the jolt it needs to barrel towards it’s conclusion. That base of entertainment is mostly buoyed by the silly plot dynamics, so over the top and crazy it actually helps to lower people’s stake in the film, a perfect choice for a streamer.
My tip for y’all if you’re on the fence is get to the bachelorette party sequence. That’s basically Another Simple Favor’s speed. If you’re not into what’s being served, it’s ok to check out. But I’m fairly certain many will be on board by then, won over by many of the cool things Lively, Kendrick Feig, and Italy are doing to win over your Friday night stream and chill with your date.