By Joe Hammerschmidt
When I had first seen the poster for Paul Feig’s A Simple Favor, a sight that had awaited me multiple times ahead of other films at one theater in the city, I immediately had expected the worst, the possibility that the man responsible for Freaks and Geeks, The Heat and Spy, could not have sunk lower past his audience-polarizing attempt at a gender-swapped Ghostbusters. Even without having tried to conquer that effort, I speak with so much gumption when proclaiming how bold of a comeback he has made, a major step back up, and still in his wheelhouse of co-creating brilliant roles for women, from a script written by very funny women. He, with screenwriter Jessica Sharzer (in turn adapting from Darcy Bell’s bestseller), prove a potent combination, with the best trick in their arsenal, that we simply don’t see too often in straightforward comedies anymore: Play it serious, but with a farcical skew. Never had thought it to be possible, but through their work, plus that of the unstoppable chemistry between the bubbly Anna Kendrick, and the snarky Blake Lively, even my relatively small expectations were easily exceeded.
Establishing its lead character strengths immediately in the first ten or so minutes, Kendrick immediately lights up the screen as amateur mommy vlogger Stephanie Smothers. Right from the get-go, she is as outgoing, energetic, your traditional mama hawk who’ll stop at nothing to impress. Her toughest opponent, yet quickest friend, careerwoman Emily Nelson (Lively), is like the pegged-down equivalent of a motorcycle chick, only trading the leather coat for a certain taste for luxury, involving erotic art and constant Serge Gainsbourg deep tracks. In other words, quirky as all hell, where she’d easily fit in. They strike an instant bond, if not a little too fast, Emily trusting her friend on a whim to watch over her kid Nicky (newcomer Ian Ho), while husband Sean (Crazy Rich Asians darling Henry Golding), a struggling author tends to business back home in London. After a few days, it’s clear she has not returned from her business trip, and though not to the same degree one will have noticed weeks ago in Searching, a manhunt is put in place. All the while, a myriad of secretive lies, and succinct cheating trysts occur, almost to the point where they simply fall out of character.
Granted, the usage of frequent flashbacks could’ve worked as a framing device in the novel. How it’s used in the film, I just wasn’t sure at all. They weren’t enough to deliberately break the pattern of tension, nor slow the film down. They were more a slight distraction from what is otherwise a relatively flawless piece of self-aware almost parody. Think a Lifetime movie, but way more intelligent, and far more clever. Often too clever for its own good, but it’d be ridiculous to complain on that front. Sure, its cheesiness may not be as easy to take; I cringed as much as laughed out loud (uncontrollably, I may add). Though that could just as well contribute to its charm in future viewings, that its thick spread of cliches need not be a deterrent, only a source of added fun.
Fun, being the action word Feig and Sharzer go for, from start to finish, even the new-wave opening credit sequence was not exempt. The biggest smile lit up on my face and stayed there, even with my mind blown, something I hadn’t felt in such a high degree since maybe Incredibles 2. Plenty of hope now for the rest of the fall, if only they can all be this ridiculously amazing. Of course, much of that responsibility is taken in great stride through Miss Kendrick. Her musical/lyrical acting style once more proves her truest compass, carrying an overly positive, often exceedingly apologetic attitude toward literally everything. She was me in a past life, though I still tend to apologize whenever I’m trying to get around. Think of it as one of those habits I can never shake, so best to make it work for me. Easily, she does, with a smile; so there’s no excuse. She’s above and beyond exceptional, and again, one would be crazy to not see that joy she’s expressing. It can’t be ignored, only observed, and even celebrated. Oscar voters be damned.
Then there’s Lively, whom I fear will not have earned as much praise. But she’s also the individual completing that serious equation of bubbly and bitchy. The two colliding like competing storms, their chemistry is undeniable, I wish their time together would’ve been more consistent. Yet what we do receive is of the highest standard for more than just the run of the mill buddy comedy. Still, the fact they clearly don’t share each other’s energy 100% of the time ala McCarthy and Bullock so effectively during The Heat may be its own little drawback. Just one insignificant quirk, nothing more or less. Mr. Golding, whose stateside recognition is only set to rise in the coming months, we don’t deserve for the extra time, and physicality of his performance, far from being another flawless distraction. As icing on the cake, plenty of expertly cast supporting performances will dot the landscape with effortless grace, one wishes there could’ve been much more a story around them. Keep eyes open for Andrew Rannells stealing many of his scenes as the one guy in Stephanie’s mom group; Linda Cardellini portraying a wildfire bohemian associate of Emily’s; and even Jean Smart captivating as a key figure of the missing mom’s past, whose deep connection will just drop jaws to the floor.
I had gone into A Simple Favor anticipating a complete tire fire, and the likely destruction of Paul Feig’s directing career; what I left with, was just a breathtaking, mindblowing laugher. Unafraid to take many different risks at once with telling a conventional dramatic thriller and making the funniest thing in the moment leaves behind its own reward. So many smiles, surprises, and a few welcome shocks that will leave one second-guessing everything, ever so appropriately. Needless to say, there are a few minor bumps in the road of deceit, much of that caused by the very translation of what was a hit novel. They’re all easily worth looking past, and just trying to have the most fun possible with a film that looks the part, and then some. It’s what witnessing a cinematic surprise should be, even if it’s not a perfect film. It’s still a step back in the right direction for an individual who knows how female-empowered comedies should work. That alone would be enough to keep me coming back, hoping for more. (B+)
A Simple Favor is in most area theaters this weekend; rated R for sexual content and language throughout, some graphic nude images, drug use and violence; 117 minutes.
