Nearly seven years after the debut of the crime-comedy “A Simple Favor,” “Another Simple Favor” premiered at South by Southwest on Friday with just as much ridiculous luxury, only now against a sunnier Italian backdrop. True to the series’ soap opera aesthetic, the film didn’t take itself too seriously, offering a little more comedy to the story than character development for its leads.
“Another Simple Favor” reintroduces its audience to Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) as a struggling but well-known mommy-crime vlogger who is publishing her first book — a story about her incarcerated ex-friend Emily (Blake Lively). Within the first couple of scenes, Stephanie is surprised to find Emily has gotten out of prison early by way of her new mysterious Italian fiancé. Emily manipulates Stephanie into being her maid of honor, forcing her to go to Italy for an incredibly tense wedding, as Stephanie anxiously wonders if she’s been brought along so Emily can get revenge for being sent to prison.
The sequel offers many ridiculous and unexpected twists like its predecessor, which keeps the story entertaining most of the time. However, the ridiculousness of the characters makes staying engaged in the story difficult when they attempt to have more serious moments. For example, there are moments where the storyline spotlights Emily and Stephanie’s sons and their trauma because of their mothers’ insanities. Those reasonable details come off more as filler time rather than adding to the storyline much because they are never investigated very deeply.
Beyond that, the film is pretty funny — less because of what the actors are saying and more because of how they are presented while saying it. For example, Kendrick as Stephanie delivers a well-done comedic intro to an airport scene where she arrives in this attire in slow motion, nonchalantly walking in loungewear with a neck pillow to Lesley Gore’s ultra-dramatic “You Don’t Own Me,” further belittling the seriousness of her situation.
Emily’s character is also hilarious throughout the movie because of her attire, although in her case, because it is unreasonably lavish and dramatic. When the audience first sees her out of prison, for example, she struts into a bookstore in red-bottom heels, a grey-striped set resembling a designer prison jumpsuit and silver chain jewelry that alludes to shackles. Her outfits only get more bizarre from there, making it a fun detail to look out for in each scene she is in.
Beyond this, Paul Feig (“Bridesmaids”) further proves himself as a talented director for his gorgeous camera shots throughout the movie and overall skilled comedic timing. The comedic dialogue throughout the film flows naturally, and Feig smartly allows the camera to slowly take in each goofy outfit the cast has, allowing the audience ample time to soak it all in and be amused.
Overall, “Another Simple Favor” is nearly another “A Simple Favor.” It respects and adds to the extravagance of the first film while remaining funny. Though there isn’t much development from the characters, fans of the original or any soap opera won’t mind this and will remain entertained.
3 ½ secret twins out of 5
