“What would happen in Sex And The City if Samantha disappeared one day? Not in a fun, ‘Oh what’s Samantha up to?’ way, but like ‘No, for real, where the hell is Samantha?’”
So said Anna Kendrick about her new comedy thriller A Simple Favour, and it’s a nicely spoiler-free comparison about this surprising comedic noir from Paul Feig, whose work on women-driven comedies like Bridesmaids, The Heat and Ghostbusters has shown that he knows how to get the best out of any actress he works with. And stars Anna Kendrick and Black Lively are on fine, fun form here as two polar opposite mothers, who become unlikely friends before a shocking mystery takes over their lives.
Kendrick’s Stephanie Smothers is an unsophisticated, Type A, over-eager mommy blogger, while Lively’s Emily Nelson is a chic fashion industry professional who enjoys French music, strong Martinis and hanging naked portraits of herself in her minimalist living room. Foul-mouthed and sexual, Emily alternates between being charming and encouraging to utterly terrifying. She’s Regina George in her thirties; the girl you hate, envy, fear and admire all at once.
When Emily goes missing, Stephanie is torn between wanting to delve into the mystery and discover the truth, and just slowly taking over Emily’s glamorous life, like a cuckoo taking roost in another bird’s nest.
As dark secrets, hidden motivations and sexual intrigues are discovered, homage is paid to thrillers like Les Diaboliques, Vertigo, Double Indemnity and The Talented Mr. Ripley. But A Simple Favour’s biggest twist is how refreshingly, consistently funny it is, as Kendrick’s awkwardness and Lively’s blunt glamour keep one-liners flying. This humour is necessary as the convoluted plot begins to unravel and the women’s suburban world remains severely underdeveloped.
But with wit, insight and great performances, A Simple Favour is a livewire.