A Simple Favor – Budget of $20 million – 1 hour and 57 minutes

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Stephanie starts her vlog by saying hello to all her followers.  But before she starts her next project, she updates them on her friend Emily’s disappearance.  The two met five days ago because Stephanie’s son Miles wanted to have a playdate with Emily’s son Nicky.  Emily has them all back at her house.  And while the boys play, the two mom’s have martinis and talk. Stephanie reveals she is an English Lit major and homemaking guru.  She was widowed when her husband and brother died in the same car accident.  Because her husband left a life insurance policy, she can afford to be a single stay-at-home mother until 2020.  She likes to keep busy and uses her vlog as an outlet to help other moms.  Emily is the Director of Public Relations for a fashion designer.  She pursued her husband Sean and got him to marry her in a few months.  Sean wrote a successful book but hasn’t written anything in 10 years.  Now he is a college professor.  While everything looks great on the outside, the couple is house poor and in financial debt.  After a few more playdates, the two are at ease with each other.  So at ease that Emily asks Stephanie to watch her kid while she takes care of work.  The first pick up goes without incident, but the next is different.   Emily doesn’t come back, doesn’t answer calls, and doesn’t answer text.  Worried, Stephanie calls Sean in London with his sick mother.  Sean flies home and agrees that the police need to be called.  That was 5 days ago.  With a phony plane ticket, a car rental, and $4 million, Stephanie wonders what happened to her friend Emily.  Let’s hope Stephanie has some faith.

Based on the novel A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell, this movie is more than a roller coaster ride (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  It is the entire theme park.  With out-of-this-world twists and turns, it’s hard to keep straight what is really going on.  And don’t take Stephanie’s innocent face for a sweet backstory.  She has plenty of skeletons in her closet that will make you cringe and want more.  These women together are one combustible mix that makes for a unique, fun, and intriguing movie.  This is the type of movie that makes you want to read the book.  See it now before someone ruins it for you.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars

Like my mom always said, lies are like margarine. Easy to spread but bad for the heart – Stephanie

The best thing I can do for Nicky is blow my brains out – Emily

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere – Sean

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