Prime Asks for ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Prime Video from director Paul Feig is the return of two women who have a history but not afraid to ask for ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR.

It has been five years since Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) brought down the sly Emily Nelson (Blake Lively). Since then, she has written a book about what happened and is at a book signing when in walks a haute-couture laden Emily. Stephanie is surprised to see her and is informed that her case is on appeal. What does she want you might ask? Well, Emily wants Stephanie to be her maid of honor with upcoming nuptials in Capri. Her intended is Dante Versano (Michele Morrone) a very tall, handsome and mysterious man that Stephanie is suspicious of.

Hopping a private plan to Capri, Stephanie brings Vicky (Alex Newell) along just to make sure that Emily doesn’t decide to take revenge on her. On the trip, Emily tries to convince Stephanie that she has no ulterior motive for wanting her to be there, just that she is someone Emily can trust. Arriving, the first uncomfortable guest they meet is Sean (Henry Golding), as the two women realize that a drunk Sean is a troublesome Sean. The first event is a lunch as Stephanie meets Dantes disapproving mother Portia (Elena Sofia Ricci) who has a surprise of her own for Emily. Her Aunt Linda (Allison Janney) and mother Margaret (Elizabeth Perkins) have arrived and so is the trouble that they can cause.

That’s when things begin to go horribly wrong but, as shocking as that is, Emily and Dante are not about to stop the wedding for anything. That also doesn’t stop more horrible thing from happening and now Stephanie is once again in the middle of it all. Being held, Stephanie knows that its time to kick into true-crime solving mode in order to get herself out of the mess she is in. She believes that her mother might hold the keys to some of the answers and its time to do her best sleuthing before she ends up behind bars.

Being friends with Emily has its moments!

Kendrick as Stephanie is dealing with the low end of success from the book she wrote about the mess with Emily. Everyone has an opinion about what happened and Kendrick’s Stephanie does her very best to live with all the mess. When Emily reenters her life, Stephanie makes it clear that she ‘isn’t as nice” as she used to be. Her wit is sharper and her mistrust is on high alert. That’s what makes watching her this time around so much fun – the fact that she’s onto Emily. Wit for wit, watching Kendrick with the comebacks is like watching a ping-pong tournament, take your eye off the ball once and you might miss the good stuff.  

Lively as Emily makes a huge comeback and, as with the five years earlier, does everything big – big entrance, big hates, big presence – and makes it look good. I just love how Lively handles the back and forth with Kendrick and makes it clear to all of us watching that we will never know for sure if she’s serious or not. She is full of mystery and sly fun and I am absolutely here for every bit of it. Casting Lively along side Kendrick was a stroke of genius in 2018 and bringing them back together to do it again with a script that works is brilliant once again.

Morrone as Dante is the mysterious man Emily is marrying and it is clear that they are close. Protecting his lady against ex-husbands and irate mothers, Morrone does a grand job until he doesn’t. Well done. Ricci as Portia is the mother-in-law from hell who is not happy about her son’s marriage and isn’t about to go down without a fight – and she has the weapons to make that happen. I just loved her to pieces because she is a spectacularly dressed crazy mom.

Janney as Aunt Linda is another crazy lady who happens to be in charge of her sister who also falls into the category of a crazy lady. She is sharp and I just love the fact that Janney’s career has brought so many different characters and she has performed each one superbly, if you can’t tell, Janney is one of my favorite actresses. Perkins as Margaret has spent most of her life swimming in a bottle and it is clear that Emily is not happy about either family member being at her wedding. Perkins is funny and full of information.

Golding as Sean returns as a man who has found the bottle as well and being in the same room with both Stephanie and Emily just brings out his own warped humor. He did enjoy the luncheon show so that’s something. I just love that he returned to his role of Sean. Newell as Vicky is just happy to be vacationing in Capri and being ringside to all the insanity of it. She sees another book and her career improving with the madness that happens when Stephanie and Emily get together.

Other cast include Joshua Satine as Miles, Aparna Nancherla as Sona, Kelly McCormack as Stacy, Diletta Jayne as Lulu, Ian Ho as Nicky, Lorenzo de Moor as Matteo Bartolo, Bashir Salahuddin as Detective Summerville and Andrew Rannells as Darren.

Prime Video offers television shows and original content included in its Amazon Prime subscription. Original programs such as CARNIVAL ROW, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, and THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL are hit shows. Coming soon is the next series with GOLIATH starring Billy Bob Thornton and it promises to another successful and intense series. For more information, please visit www.amazonprime.com.

ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR is a fun, twisted, mysterious, and sharp-witted film that doesn’t have a moment of boredom. I will admit to being hesitant to watch the film as sequels don’t have a wonderful track record but I can honestly say this film is completely outrageous in the best way possible. The story is so well written, the snappy one-liners are going to be used by me no question, the setting is lavishly big like Emily’s personality and full of who-dun-it that Stephanie loves.

This is exactly the type of film you want to sit back with a good glass of wine, a charcuterie board and some pals who are looking for a night of laughs. Expect the unexpected, prepare for jaw drops and figure out the mystery because there is more to the story than meets the eye.

In the end – every friendship has its twists!

 

The Story of How IT ENDS WITH US on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and on Digital from director Justin Baldoni and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the story of how IT ENDS WITH US.

Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) is dealing with the death of her father but not in the way mom Jenny (Amy Morton) understands. Back in Boston, Lily is up on a rooftop thinking about what happened with Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) arrives on the rooftop as well and seems a bit unnerved. When he realizes Lily is there, a chemistry begins between the two and he is intrigued by the fact that Lily is not under his spell.

The next day, Lily is thrilled to get the keys to a shop she is going to open. Needing a caring touch, she is interrupted when Allysa (Jenny Slate) comes in with a big personality and wins Lily over and a job as well. Not too much later, Lily finds out that Ryle is Lily’s brother and is introduced to her husband Marshall (Hasan Minhaj). Spending time together, there is a mishap in Ryle’s kitchen and Lily gets injured.

When the shop opens, there is celebrating all around as the couple double date at a new eatery. Getting ready to order, Lily is shocked to see Atlas (Brandon Skylenar), someone who was extremely important in Lily’s younger years. They try to catch up but its an awkward situation and Ryle is unnerved. Then comes marriage and Lily believes things are going well. Even seeing Atlas one more time, she lets him know she is happy.

But a moment comes when Lily must decide what is true about her relationship, the memories that have come flooding back and is what she discovers going to become a generational pain.

Lively as Lily is absolutely stunning in this role. It seems a good fit actually as Lily is coming into her own yet there are so many shadows that she hasn’t come to terms with yet as Lively portrays all of it. This is a powerful role and it takes its time diving into it all and when it unwraps, so do all the emotions.

Baldoni as Ryle gives his role the right amount of everything to make his character believable. By this I mean it isn’t an out and out frightening performance but instead, subtle, in ways this character hasn’t been performed before. Baldoni gives the charm that, like Lily, allows us to see what we want to see. Well done.

Skylenar as Atlas has a history with Lily that not only does he refuse to forget but a love he can not let go of. When life separates them, it is the same life that brings them back together again. He sees her lot and once again feels the protectiveness over Lily. Skylenar is the quiet in the middle of the storm but also is the safe space that Lily hasn’t recognized yet.

Slate as Alyssa is a wild and whacky friend to Lily and sister to Ryle. She finds a friend in Lily but also sees what could be happening with her. I enjoyed watching her nuttiness and the relationship with co-star Minhaj as Marshall. He is just as charming and whacky as his wife so they are a perfect pairing for the film. Morton as mom Jenny has a secret past of her own that she refuses to acknowledge and instead focusing on trying to better her relationship with Lily.

Other cast includes Isabela Ferrer as the younger Lily, Alex Neustaedter as the younger Atlas, Kevin McKidd as Andrew Bloom, Robn Lively as Ms. Byland and Emily Baldoni as Dr. Julie.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Author Colleen Hoover published It Ends With Us in 2016 and says it is the hardest book she has ever written because it explores the themes of emotional turmoil and domestic violence. The book has been translated into twenty different languages and sold over one million copies worldwide. It quickly debuted at number 1 on The New York Times best seller list. Hoover wrote her next book It Starts With Us in 2022 and the relationship between Lily and Atlas.

Lively, Baldoni and Skylenar bring the story to life with amazing performances. Delving deep into the story, there are so many connections and also disconnects that come through that it feels relatable. That is why I believe the film is so successful. Those who love the book are immediately drawn to the film and are not disappointed. This is a film I see watching again and again.

In the end – it does end with us!

 

 

A SIMPLE FAVOR Challenges Friendship

Jeri Jacquin

This Friday in theatres from director Paul Feig and Lionsgate comes a film based on the Darcey Bell novel asking for A SIMPLE FAVOR.

Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) is a single Mom who passes her days raising a young son Miles (Joshua Satine), being the crafty-type and a vlogger. While at a school celebration, Stephanie meets Miles friend Nicky (Ian Ho) and they both want a play date. Of course it’s all up to Nicky’s Mom Emily (Blake Lively).

Stephanie introduces herself to Emily and is a bit nervous realizing she is an outgoing and verbally free woman. Agreeing to a play date, Emily introduces Stephanie to a martini and the two become acquainted. Spending time together occasionally becomes something Stephanie looks forward to.

She also meets Emily’s husband Sean (Henry Golding) who is a writer and teaches at the local college. Seeing that the couple is really into each other, Stephanie comes to like them both very much. One day Emily calls and asks Stephanie to please watch son Nicky as Sean had to go take care of his injured mother and she is stuck with a business crisis.

That’s when a mystery begins as days go by and Emily is no where to be found. Sean returns home and joins in the search to find his wife. Stephanie uses her vlog to keep visitors up to date on the search. After the worst news possible happens, Stephanie and Sean find themselves trying to deal with it all.

As the police have their questions, Stephanie also has hers. It starts out with simple things that she notices but each day it becomes clear that something is not only wrong but that nothing is what it has seemed about Emily.

Vlogger and DIY Mom goes into super sleuth mode to discover who Emily truly is, what does Sean know and will she have enough time to make her famous meatless meatballs for the next school function?

Stay tuned!

Kendrick as Stephanie pours it on as a woman with her own secrets who wraps them up in neat little cookie bundles. Volunteering and organizing everything around her, it doesn’t take long before Emily’s influence starts to her loosen up. Taking kindness for weakness, Kendrick gives Stephanie the kind of empowerment that can move mountains. I loved Kendrick in this role with her quirkiness mixed with a nervousness that sets of the hidden firecracker that her character is.

Lively as Emily is gorgeous, smart, wears it well and can spin a yarn with a straight face like no other. I loved every minute she was on screen just making every move look so damn easy. Even when her character was lying I didn’t know if she was lying even when I was 98% sure she was lying. The ride her character provides is fast, fun, crazy and filled with twists and surprises. Emily has a magazine rack full of issues and she’s not about to lay them out for the world to use against her. The match between Emily and Stephanie is definitely perfection.

Golding as husband Sean is a writer/teacher who fell hard for the lovely Emily. From the beginning of their relationship he knew there was something different but learned not to ask questions. Golding gives the role a bit of charm and innocent sexy all the way to the very end. He can also be seen in the hit film CRAZY RICH ASIANS and trust when I say he is an actor to keep watching for.

Other cast include Dustin Milligan as Chris, Danielle Bourgon as Grace, Gia Sandhu as Valerie, Glenda Braganza as Mrs. Glenda, Kelly McCormack as Stacy, Andrew Rannells as Darren, Andrew Moodie as Sgt. Molloy, Rupert Friend as Dennis Nylon and Jean Smart as Mrs. McLanden.

A SIMPLE FAVOR is a mixture of fun, twists, jaw drops, hints, laughs, mystery, deception, friendship, love, illusion and so much more. The film moves along at a good pace and then the script is flipped half way through and the brake stick on the roller coaster is broken off!

Lively and Kendrick are magic together on the screen and I loved every minute of it. This is a film that is loaded from beginning to end and brought people at the screening together to talk about it after. Conversations spoke about the performances being some of the best seen in a while and how the story kept them off guard through out most of the film.

For me there were a few things that I figured out but it didn’t stop me at all from enjoying the film. In fact, even though I may have figured this and that out, I didn’t expect the constant twists and turns! That is all due to Kendrick, Lively and Golding who kept me engrossed in their characters.

In the end – it all started with a simple favor!