A Simple Favour - Review
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding
Percolating a number of genres within the same film often signals a recipe for disaster. However, in the experiences hands of director Paul Feig, A Simple Favour manages to avoid all of the potential stumbling blocks in this devilishly delicious mystery-thriller-comedy.
Despite their abundant differences, sunshine-and-rainbows Stephanie (Kendrick) befriends the elusive and glamorous Emily (Lively) after their young sons become pals. When Emily mysteriously disappears from their small town, Stephanie turns sleuth and proves that she will stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind her best friend's sudden vanishing.
Director Paul Feig has made a name and reputation for himself in the world of comedy and has helmed some of the most hilarious female-driven comedies including Bridesmaids (2011) and Spy (2015). Although A Simple Favour is wry and darkly comic, it is also an extremely effective thriller/mystery that keeps the audience guessing throughout, and the twists and turns that follow are expertly guided by Feig's sensibilities and firm grasp on the ever-changing tonal shifts. As aforementioned, A Simple Favour is a hybrid of genres and the final product can only be likened to a sexier, funnier and more well dressed Frankenstein's Monster.
Feig also manoeuvres his leading ladies to deliver pitch perfect performances and both Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively excel in their respective roles. Stephanie is a twee and devoted mother/mummy blogger whilst Emily is a foul-mouthed, suit-wearing and high powered PR business woman with a heavy interest in daytime martini drinking. On the surface, the characters' personalities couldn't be further apart but their friendship soon entices them to reveal their darker natures and reveal secrets that were better off remaining tight lipped. Independently, Kendrick and Lively are excellent, but together, they're positively explosive. The former has finally been given a role that showcases her ability to play sweet and sneering whilst the latter is perfection as the enigmatic Emily, a question mark in human form. If the Academy Awards had any sense or desire to be daring, they would give the former Gossip Girl star a Best Supporting Actress nomination. She deserves a nod for the way she rocks a suit and wields a diamanté-encrusted cane alone.
Mixed with a sprinkling of laughs, a dash of thrills and a helpful pouring of genuine mystery, A Simple Favour is the equivalent of a fruity cocktail that packs a bitter and intoxicating punch.
EB
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding
Percolating a number of genres within the same film often signals a recipe for disaster. However, in the experiences hands of director Paul Feig, A Simple Favour manages to avoid all of the potential stumbling blocks in this devilishly delicious mystery-thriller-comedy.Despite their abundant differences, sunshine-and-rainbows Stephanie (Kendrick) befriends the elusive and glamorous Emily (Lively) after their young sons become pals. When Emily mysteriously disappears from their small town, Stephanie turns sleuth and proves that she will stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind her best friend's sudden vanishing.
Director Paul Feig has made a name and reputation for himself in the world of comedy and has helmed some of the most hilarious female-driven comedies including Bridesmaids (2011) and Spy (2015). Although A Simple Favour is wry and darkly comic, it is also an extremely effective thriller/mystery that keeps the audience guessing throughout, and the twists and turns that follow are expertly guided by Feig's sensibilities and firm grasp on the ever-changing tonal shifts. As aforementioned, A Simple Favour is a hybrid of genres and the final product can only be likened to a sexier, funnier and more well dressed Frankenstein's Monster.
Feig also manoeuvres his leading ladies to deliver pitch perfect performances and both Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively excel in their respective roles. Stephanie is a twee and devoted mother/mummy blogger whilst Emily is a foul-mouthed, suit-wearing and high powered PR business woman with a heavy interest in daytime martini drinking. On the surface, the characters' personalities couldn't be further apart but their friendship soon entices them to reveal their darker natures and reveal secrets that were better off remaining tight lipped. Independently, Kendrick and Lively are excellent, but together, they're positively explosive. The former has finally been given a role that showcases her ability to play sweet and sneering whilst the latter is perfection as the enigmatic Emily, a question mark in human form. If the Academy Awards had any sense or desire to be daring, they would give the former Gossip Girl star a Best Supporting Actress nomination. She deserves a nod for the way she rocks a suit and wields a diamanté-encrusted cane alone.
Mixed with a sprinkling of laughs, a dash of thrills and a helpful pouring of genuine mystery, A Simple Favour is the equivalent of a fruity cocktail that packs a bitter and intoxicating punch.
EB
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