Having only recently watched A Simple Favour, the story of the original film was fresh in my mind going into the sequel. Did the first film need a sequel? Absolutely not, I thought it rounded off quite nicely. Was I excited to spend more time with these incredible characters? Yes, I was thrilled.
Another Simple Favour is absolutely bonkers, and I’m still thinking about the plot a few days after seeing it – another twist I didn’t see coming. It’s camp, it’s summer, it’s feel-good escapism with excellent performances from Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick and Henry Golding.
The film transports us to the stunning island of Capri, Italy, where Emily (Lively) is set to marry a wealthy Italian businessman with some questionable family connections. The gorgeous Mediterranean setting provides the perfect backdrop for the increasingly outrageous twists and turns that unfold when Stephanie (Kendrick) arrives as Emily’s maid of honour.
Lively is once again fantastic, bringing that captivating unpredictability to her character that made the first film so compelling. Kendrick’s Stephanie has evolved, no longer the innocent mum vlogger but now a true-crime author who approaches Emily with deserved wariness. Their chemistry crackles with every scene they share.
The costume design deserves special mention – from Emily’s stunning outfits to an unforgettable wedding dress that reportedly drew audible gasps during screenings. It’s all part of the film’s gloriously over-the-top aesthetic that embraces its own absurdity.
It’s camp, it’s queer and it’s a great time. The film was a little long though, it could have probably lost say 15 minutes, and some of the long-running jokes started to become a little stale by the end of the film. A truth serum scene in particular drags on when it should have been much tighter.
There’s so much to love though, and as sequels go – this is a great one. I wouldn’t say no to another outing with these characters in the future, and Paul Feig demonstrates once again why he’s so brilliant at telling empowering female character-driven stories.
The Rating: ★★★
Check out our exclusive interviews with Paul Feig and Henry Golding
Another Simple Favour is streaming on Prime Video from May 1.