Full of opinions, but free of spoilers.
This weekend came with the release of A Simple Favor starring, the Tony award-winning, Anna Kendrick as Stephanie, Blake Lively as Emily and Harry Golding, from Crazy Rich Asians (if you haven’t seen CRA go now) as Sean.
So, the trailer for A Simple Favor offers you one small detail about the movie, that Emily is missing and no one can figure out where she went to. The trailer also paints a vague picture that the film might be a horror-esc movie? At least that’s what it insinuated to me. What you don’t know about going into this movie is how much you’re probably going whisper under your breath, “What is actually going on?”, to yourself multiple times. I did in fact think, whisper and audibly say that phrase way too many times while watching this film. If I had to describe this movie in one word it would be bonkers, with a capital b. Honestly, it is so incredibly bonkers your head might spin off your neck. The beginning credits gave me an Oceans 8 feel, like it was going to be an action-packed, detective, jewel thief kind of movie. After exchanging thoughts about that particular part of the movie with my movie-expert of a significant other, I learned it was a Hitchcock opening, again, I’m no expert. The Hitchcock opening was fully intended on by the director, Paul Feig. I guess I need to watch more Hitchcock movies. Anyways, throughout the movie I also got Fifty Shades of Grey vibes as well as soap opera vibes. This movie will keep you guessing and, on your feet the whole time, starting with the outfits Anna Kendrick’s character wears. Those outfits also deserve the label of bonkers as well. It’s not a slow-moving movie and not a movie where you’re going to be bored at many, if any points, throughout it. It takes you on a ride the whole time and once you think you’re going to do an upside-down loop-d-loop you actually just fly off the coaster. So, don’t get too comfortable, because your world will soon be rocked once again.
The acting across the board was pretty freaking good, like really good. Anna Kendrick is expected to be good, she’s won a Tony so she has no other option but to be good, and she was! She played a mom who is the mother of all mothers; a vlogging, friendship bracelet-making, over protective, quirky mom who has a questionable sense of fashion. She nailed it. Blake Lively is 100% the star of the show, and quite honestly, I wasn’t expecting that performance out of her. I feel like Blake has been laying low and not taking on very many if any projects, she hasn’t done anything since 2016, and so has become an actress who is well known for a few big projects but that’s it really. Again, I won’t spoil anything, but she becomes unrecognizable multiple times throughout the movie. I’m hoping this will get her some notoriety and maybe even Oscar buzz. I know the Oscar buzz was a big statement from someone who doesn’t really know what she’s talking about, but I’m telling you she killed it. Henry Golding was good, he wasn’t incredible like Anna or Blake. Some could argue he played the same character in Crazy Rich Asians but I feel there was a slight difference between the two.
A Simple Favor was not a simple movie in the slightest. It’s honestly a movie that’s kind of everywhere, if you know what I mean, but I sort of works. Is it my favorite movie of the year? It’s not. Was it entertaining and fun? Sure! I think I like it more then I did when I first came out of the movie, because its so freaking bonkers. But it’s self-aware about its bonkerness (yes, I made that word up, sue me). Now comes the answer you all have been waiting for, no the children should not accompany you to see this film. Leave the kids home for this one, folks!
Let’s chat! What are your opinions about the movie? What upcoming release should I check out? Email me at ocrutchf@aum.edu.
-Hey, my name is Olivia Crutchfield! I’m not a movie expert but I just so happen to live with one, and our love for movies takes us to the movie theaters every single week to see new releases. So, be on the lookout for a review from me almost every week. If you consider yourself a movie expert or you just really love them like me and want to listen to three guys giving their opinion on movies, all the while being hilarious, you may want to check out the podcast Best Pictures anywhere you get your podcasts.