Irate

Delightfully dark, ‘A Simple Favor’ is a wittily fun neo-noir tale

By JASON GUYER
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One of the most delightful qualities of the film ‘A Simple Favor’ is the French pop soundtrack. ‘A Simple Favor’s’ soundtrack is almost entirely French pop. One of my favorites is “Les Passants” by Zaz. In “Les Passants” there is a line that says, “these days I run towards balance.” Balance is what most films should aspire to. Often too much of a good thing or too much of the same thing can be a detriment to a film.

‘A Simple Favor’ is a neo-noir take on a common story used in crime dramas. Film noir is a term that in French means, dark film, and was coined by Nino Frank in 1946. However, it became popularized by two French critics by the name of Raymond Borde and Etienne Chaumeton some time in the 1950’s. Noir is described as a movie with a dark mood, one that often has an overshadowing sense of something sinister, but also expressing as a style of cinematography. Neo-noir films, like ‘A Simple Favor,’ are noir films that are updated to the current technology, content, and styles in the film industry and in pop culture.

‘A Simple Favor’ is directed by Paul Feig. Feig is best known for directing “Heat” with Sandra Bullock and “Bridesmaids” with Kristen Wiig, along with one of my personal favorite television shows, “Freaks and Geeks.”

‘A Simple Favor’ is tale about Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a mommy vlogger and her best friend Emily (Blake Lively). When Emily suddenly disappears, Stephanie sets out to find out what happened.

Anna Kendrick as the protagonist in ‘A Simple Favor’ is a delightfully awkward character. Stephanie is a character who feels out of place in the world that she is introduced into when she befriends Emily. Kendrick plays this fish-out-of-water scenario to perfection, and sets such a vibrant and bright tone for Stephanie. That bright tone stays throughout the film, even as the dark descends on all the characters in ‘A Simple Favor,’ including Stephanie.

One of the more brilliant aspects of ‘A Simple Favor’ is Stephanie’s “dark side,” while it is dark and adds to that aspect of the film, it is also mostly used for humor, as it opens up a one liner that is used many times throughout the film.

Kendrick also shows her range as an actor in ‘A Simple Favor.’ Range many may not get to see, especially if the extent of your Anna Kendrick film experiences is just the “Pitch Perfect” trilogy. Anna Kendrick is also a semi-local actress, originally from Portland, Maine and it is always nice to go out and see and support those that come from the area.

The antagonist to Stephanie Smothers is her best friend Emily Nelson. Blake Lively as Emily Nelson is one of the most enjoyable experiences you have watching a film. Lively is a favorite, she is an actress that has an on-screen grace that is unmatched. In ‘A Simple Favor” Lively puts that on-screen grace to use as a villain. Something as simple as her walk is commanding, especially the very first time you see her character in ‘A Simple Favor.” The one one foot directly (in a straight line) in front of the other is one that demands attentions. In essence that is Lively’s character Emily Nelson’s character type, she is the one who demands attention.

‘A Simple Favor’ is the story of two types of manipulators. One character is soft, awkward, and sweet and manipulates through niceties and closeness. This is Stephanie, the one who manipulates you and you don’t even know it. The other, is more forceful and in your face, who manipulates through force or action. This is Emily, the one who you know is manipulating you but you don’t care because she also makes you want to be around her. The character work by both actresses is top notch. The subtle darkness behind Stephanie that Kendrick hints at with mere glances during the film to the opposing Emily who Lively gives mere glimpses of humanity to, ‘A Simple Favor’ has it all.

However, it does fall short in one area, Balance. Balance and restraint was needed in the story of the film. “A Simple Favor” is a wonderfully dark witted tale of manipulation and double crosses but it has no balance. It is a runaway train of deception and manipulation and soap-opera level underhandedness by its characters. Balance with real life was needed to make the film feel more real and less like the television show “Desperate housewives,” and “A Simple Favor” does by the end. Don’t get me wrong, “Desperate Housewives”’s first season was great but the constant underhandedness by every single character gets old by season three.

The plot turns “A Simple Favor” may be all too obvious, especially if you pay attention as the film almost always give more than one clue to each turn. Personally, I enjoyed that with ‘A Simple Favor” and I don’t always with every film. The solving of the mystery is the fun part of mystery-style films, especially when it is subtle with glance here , a look there, one misspoken word or expression. Then you have to see it, to know what is coming.

One thing I didn’t see coming is the pair of Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively being one of the best protagonist and antagonist duos in film. Those two are the best part of “A Simple Favor” and make the film what it is and never ask for help while they do. Even the central male character played by the talented Henry Golding is at the mercy of these two women and their commanding performances.

Just like Blake Lively’s walk, “A Simple Favor” is straightforward dark witty neo noir fun.

IRATE SCORE: 4/5

Jason Guyer is an avid moviegoer and works in the graphics department at the Eagle Times. For questions or comments he can be emailed at [email protected]

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