Humor mixes with the Noir in what might be one of best Dark Comedies. A simple Favor (2018), based on the novel by Darcy Bell, expresses a far darker story than dialogue and overall attitude would imply; this may be a Noir where there are more laughs than screams, in a good way. This is the story of Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick), control-obsessed peppy single mother whose motivation to do everything eventually causes her to become entwined in the life of Emily Nelson (Blake Lively), a far more chaotically open mother and wife. The two bond, their yin-yang effect becoming more blurred as the film progresses, where vulnerability and darker inclinations begin to crack through. Stephanie’s world tilts abruptly when Emily goes missing, compelling her to comfort the troubled husband (Henry Golding), looking after their kids, and work to understand her missing friend while struggling not to be consumed by the other’s life.
There is a level-headed comedy built on the idea that everyone shown is slightly more manic than the norm but not too cartoonish where the more serious emotions feel pushed aside. Morality becomes a fickle thing, with the film skipping beats in time to demonstrate horrible pasts as well as bizarre moments that elevate the films energy. However, the energy accumulated does feel to plateau at a certain point, it’s a high level of crazy that is maintained but there does feel like more could have been done to really drive the madness further. In a way, it makes sense it couldn’t go further since the mannerisms of Stephanie for the most part feel like a quirky comedy girl rapidly stumbling through a Dark Noir. Even with the tragedies and swimming in the moral grey, the film’s strength is that both actresses get to be emotionally complicated women with sharp dialogue and interactions that evolve with the film in ways most other films fall short when it comes to the relationship of two women.
9 out 10 (The performances between the two actresses feels like both at their best to the point that the story feels like there were greater opportunities to elevate what they brought to screen but what’s there is excellent, especially in the quiet moments where it’s simply them interacting and reacting to the other.)
Andrew j Sparling Film Review 