Put simply, expect your jaw to drop as the ending credits of “A Simple Favor” roll across the screen. It’s just that kind of film.
Two very different actresses, Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, team up to create what might be one of the year’s best dark dramedies. Their style, wit and seduction play out in this film like none of their other works.
Paul Feig, the mastermind director behind this genius movie, worked on “Bridesmaids,” “The Heat” and “Spy” — all of which featured a strong female cast and, most importantly, the hilarious Melissa McCarthy.
In “A Simple Favor,” Feig turns to the dark side with a tale of two very different, but both very secretive, female characters. This time around, Feig offers more thrill than comedy and more gasps than laughter.
The film, based on Darcey Bell’s novel of the same name, prompted the question early on in advertising, “What happened to Emily?” Viewers won’t quite know until midway through the film, but the suspense is worth every second of waiting.
“A Simple Favor” begins with perky, well-to-do, mommy blogger Stephanie — played by Kendrick. The single parent and over-achiever, whose life fully revolves around her young child, kicks off the film by asking her short list of video blog viewers for help in finding her best friend Emily.
Emily — played by Lively — a passive mom, exceptional martini maker and long-legged lady boss, befriends Stephanie because of their two sons.
Emily, with a seemingly perfect husband, child and life, shares just the surface of her secrets as Stephanie shares her own. The two form an unexpected bond — that is — until Emily goes missing.
Stephanie, like always, takes it upon herself to solve the problem and find Emily at any cost — diving deeper into Emily’s life and past.
As the investigation moves forward, Stephanie’s viewership grows, catapulting Emily’s secretive past life into the spotlight.
The first half of this film plays out similar to an expected drama. And just as soon as you feel comfortable with the storyline, the rollercoaster of emotions begins.
A few words of advice: don’t get too relaxed.
Lively and Kendrick play two exquisitely opposite female leads in “A Simple Favor.”
Everything from costume choice to music selection, puts this film over the top in the best way possible.
When the film’s first advertisements and previews dropped, many expected another “Gone Girl” rip-off. But, “A Simple Favor” is far from “Gone Girl” — it’s better.
Although the film didn’t top the box office over its Sept. 14 opening weekend, “A Simple Favor” is slowly gaining ground as social media untangles a pristinely produced storyline. Viewers, it seems, won’t soon forget their experience being rattled and allured by the illustrious work of Lively and Kendrick.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at Hailey_ann97