Review of Another Simple Favour: Blake Lively Resurfaces after Contention with Baldoni
Unraveling the Twists: Another Simple Favor's Glitzy Mystery
Stepping into the limelight once more with an air of mystery, Blake Lively delivers a captivating performance in the new film, Another Simple Favor. After the tumultuous fallout from her previous project, 2024's It Ends With Us, the former Gossip Girl star finds herself embroiled in a legal battle with co-star Justin Baldoni. Set against this backdrop of controversy, Lively's character Emily Nelson returns, stirring up more intrigue in this sequel to the 2018 hit A Simple Favor.
Five years have passed since the original film, and Stephanie Smothers, played by Anna Kendrick, reappears as a true crime blogger promoting a book about Emily's imprisonment. In a shocking turn of events, the book signing sees Emily, now freed on appeal, make an unexpected appearance, inviting Stephanie to her wedding in Capri as her maid of honor. Suspicious of Emily's motives, Stephanie accepts the invitation, but as the nuptials unfold, more secrets begin to emerge.
The tension between the awkward everywoman Stephanie and the impossibly glamorous Emily is the driving force behind the film, providing an entertaining watch as they dance on the line between resentment and sisterhood. Kendrick's character carries much of the dialogue, but Lively's presence shines, delivering cutting one-liners amidst the chaos. It seems that the dramas off-screen have only added to the allure of the on-screen performance.
Regrettably, those here for a coherent storyline may be left feeling disappointed. The absence of plot mastery is evident, with the film drowning the audience in familiar elements to compensate. More bitching, more bodies, and more aesthetics abound, but the intelligence of the original film is missing. The first hour feels like a recap of the events in the first movie, with the second half littered with implausible twists.
Director Paul Feig's incisive commentary on social media culture from the first movie is absent, as the film instead explores the fascination with true crime fandom and traditional whodunit narratives. Even so, the exploration falls short, limited to a few obvious jokes. The new cast members, including Michele Morrone and Allison Janney, add little to the overall picture, with their performances feeling lackluster compared to the exuberant Capri setting.
In essence, Another Simple Favor is best described as a "fashion-forward fever dream" that veers off course at times[2][3]. There's no denying the charm of Lively and Kendrick's performances, but the film's emphasis on style over substance will appeal more to those who crave ludicrous escapism[2][3].
• Another Simple Favor is available on Prime Video now
- Emily Nelson: A complex and charming character, Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) elevates the film with her captivating performance [2][3]. Her charisma and depth are celebrated by critics, with some feeling she outmatches Anna Kendrick this time around [2][3].
- Stephanie Smothers: Anna Kendrick's character Stephanie Smothers enters the sequel with her true crime blogging persona. Amidst the chaos and twists, her everywoman perspective offers a grounded counterbalance to Emily's glamour [1][4][5].
- Plot: The plot of Another Simple Favor is convoluted and relies on absurd twists [2][3]. Thefilm's priority on style over substance leaves viewers craving a more coherent storyline [2][3].
Emily Nelson's captivating performance in Another Simple Favor has sparked a rumor among audiences about sequelitis, as her character returns with more intrigue five years after the original movie. Despite the legal battle with co-star Justin Baldoni, audiences turn to movies-and-tv for entertainment, hoping to see Blake Lively's Emily Nelson and Anna Kendrick's Stephanie Smothers dance on the line between resentment and sisterhood.
