'Another Simple Favor' Review: A Campier Ride with Lively and Kendrick

While Blake Lively has faced a mix of online reactions during recent legal issues, her latest film, 'Another Simple Favor,' drew unanimous acclaim at its SXSW debut. The audience was clearly captivated.

This reporter was among the first to catch Paul Feig’s latest work, a follow-up to his unexpected 2018 black comedy success, 'A Simple Favor.'

Paul Feig, cautious about creating sequels, emphasized the abundance of poor sequels historically. This time, he wanted to ensure the story of the stylishly dangerous Emily Nelson and her vlogger rival Stephanie Smothers was worth retelling.

The narrative, penned by Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis, is an enticing mystery set in Italy. The new film resumes five years after Stephanie's actions led to Emily's imprisonment for her sister’s murder. Emily, fresh out of incarceration thanks to her wealthy and attractive fiancé (played by Michele Morrone), makes a dramatic entrance at an event where Stephanie is presenting her book detailing their tumultuous friendship.

Emily tricks Stephanie into being her maid of honor in Capri, leveraging a legal threat over her unauthorized use of Emily's identity in her book. Andrew Rannells, playing Stephanie’s friend Darren, humorously suggests Steph should comply due to the potential complications of lawsuits, despite the clear danger.

The returning and new cast members gel perfectly with the film's playful spirit. Despite ongoing rumors of off-screen drama, the dynamic between Kendrick and Lively remains captivating. Meanwhile, Henry Golding reprises his role as Sean, portraying a man ensnared by his past with both women.

New characters add to the film’s charm. Allison Janney plays Emily’s dubious Aunt Linda, and Elizabeth Perkins steps into the role of Emily's mother, Margaret, with a humorous nod to the character’s altered appearance due to 'work getting done.'

A notable addition, Alex Newell plays Vicky, Stephanie’s enthusiastic agent, eager about the chaos surrounding Emily’s wedding—an event ripe for literary exploitation.

The movie promises an abundance of unforeseen developments, with an extravagant final act that surpasses its predecessor.

Without spoiling the experience, the film must be seen to understand why Lively admitted she felt awkward watching herself during the Q&A. Lively’s vibrant portrayal of Emily reaffirms her declaration of Emily as her favorite role.

The conclusion hints at a potential continuation, though it's hard to fathom how another sequel could eclipse this film’s flamboyant style and extravagant dialogue.

Available Soon

'Another Simple Favor' is slated for release on Prime Video on May 1.