Another Simple Favour ★★

NOT every film should have a sequel…but try convincing a Hollywood studio of that.

Here’s a good, recent example.

A Simple Favour was a clever and engaging comedy/mystery released in 2018 and featuring good chemistry between charismatic leads Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively.

Of course, in the last few years Lively’s career and personal circumstances, i.e. being Ryan Reynolds’ partner, have taken off and hence the probable main reason to return to this well.

But, despite having the same director, Paul Feig, and writers, Another Simple Plan is a very limp effort.

In reprising their roles, Kendrick and Lively are still very watchable, but the script just doesn’t provide the same level of chemistry nor any other interesting characters nor a mystery that makes reasonable sense.

Perhaps the main problem is the original film’s script had a novel to guide it whereas this effort does not.

You may recall the basic story of the first film in which Kendrick’s meek Stephanie Smothers became entranced by new and exotic school mum Emily Nelson (Lively) and was dragged into a murder conspiracy.

Five years later, and immediately out of character, Stephanie is now a famous true crime podcaster after writing about their time together and Emily’s eventual imprisonment.

At a book signing event Stephanie is shocked to see Emily, who has been released on appeal, turn up to announce she is getting married and invite Stephanie to the wedding.

To move the plot along, the writers lazily use the threat of being sued to have Emily agree to not only attend the marriage but be maid of honour to the woman who previously tried to frame her for a crime.

And now here’s the rub and maybe one of the reasons why this film was made.

Emily’s fiancé is a wealthy Italian man from a family with organized crime connections and the lavish wedding is being held at a spectacular location on the island of Capri.

No doubt they all had a great time making a film that has ended up far less enjoyable than the first effort.

Watched on Apple TV.