One of the more unusual films I’ve seen lately is A Simple Favor, which introduces us to two strong female characters who then run rampant all over their complicated, dangerous story.  Several of the important supporting characters are also female, making this edgy movie a great case for how girl power can make a film experience as exciting and complex as any macho story.  Better, in fact, because A Simple Favor is sharply written, beautifully acted and nicely directed adult fun.

Paul Feig’s film finds suburban video blogger Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) trying to find her missing friend Emily Nelson (Blake Lively).  But there is much more to the story than Stephanie knows, and as she investigates she learns things about Emily — and about herself — that completely astonish her.  The story turns very dark, with deep family secrets meant to stay buried rising up to public view, with Stephanie discovering truths of which the police are entirely ignorant.  And it could cost Stephanie her life to learn the entire truth.

I wouldn’t have thought that Paul Feig could make a movie this good; before this he has specialized in crude comedies like Bridesmaids and The Heat, but some of his work is clever (Spy) and much of it female-oriented (including all these titles and Ghostbusters).  Maybe it was only natural that he would shift into psychological drama.  Feig certainly has a knack for getting the most out of his stars; Kendrick is terrific and Blake Lively has never been so alluring.  Moreover, Jessica Sharzer’s script (from Darcey Bell’s book) is deliciously dishy and cuttingly wicked, providing innuendo and meaning in every utterance and glance.

The provocative plot twists and turns can be jarring — and of course are meant to be.  I wonder how well they would hold up in a second viewing, but I will be sure to find out.  I like this movie a lot, and I’m fascinated to see if it maintains the same power when I know what is coming.  If you haven’t seen it, you should; just know that it is wild and wicked, and not for the prudish.  And remember that there is nothing simple about A Simple Favor.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  22 November 2018.