Rating of
3/4
If It Was Simple, It Wouldn't Be So Much Fun
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/17/18
I think Paul Feig should lay off the comedy for awhile and make more films like this. While A Simple Favor has some humorous moments, it is more of a mystery with plenty of twists and some dark moments thrown into the mix. Plus, the trifecta of Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively and Henry Golding makes for a smart, entertaining combination.
The film starts off innocently enough, with Kendrick playing Stephanie Smothers, a single mother who vlogs her life following the death of her husband and brother. She is the picture-perfect mother, volunteering and just oh-so-nice, with her son, Miles (Joshua Satine) highly polished, but a bit overprotected. Things take s sudden turn when Miles makes friends with Nicky Nelson (Ian Ho) son of Emily (Blake Lively) whose hectic life has her working as a fixer (of problems) for the high-fashion Dennis Nylon (Rupert Friend), while having a difficult relationship with professor and one-time author Sean Townsend (Henry Golding). She is much more free-wheeling than the uptight Stephanie, as her days are filled with stiff martinis and sudden trips.
As the title suggest, the simple favor Stephanie is asked is to watch Nicky while Emily is called away on a sudden emergency even as Sean is out of the country tending to his mother. After three days, Stephanie realizes something is wrong and the hunt begins to track down Emily. The rest of the film cannot be spoiled, but to be sure there are numerous revelations, lots of twists and a bunch of dark secrets. We learn the perfect Stephanie harbors some secrets of her own, even as the case brings about unexpected romance and betrayal.
The film is one of the better mysteries to come out recently. Too many film either try to shoe-horn in twists or make things too dull. A Simple Favor balances out some rather incredulous turns by grounding them in fantastic performances. Kendrick and Lively are both at the top of their games here - and watching them together is a joy. And Golding is having a great year, with this and Crazy Rich Asians both giving him a lot of screen presence. Even the two young actors work well with the story and some nice cameos from Jean Smart and Rupert Friend are just the icing on the cake.
This is a smart mystery - but not too smart - it doesn't look down on its audience, but rather invites them in on the fun - and thrills. There is danger, there is sex, there are revelations - and it mixes well together. If it pushes things into a bit too outlandish territory - it's okay. It's all in good fun and for those who like strong, female-driven films, you won't find much better.
