Greetings again from the darkness. In the vein of Gillian Flynn/David Fincher's GONE GIRL and Paula Hawkins/Tate Taylor's THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN comes yet another vanishing woman mystery. This latest is based on Darcey Bell's novel (screenplay by Jessica Sharzer),only this time the biggest twist comes with the selection of Paul Feig as director. That's right, the director best known for BRIDESMAIDS and other comedies, tackles a 'whodunit and what did they do'.

Neurotic Mommy Vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) is a widowed mother to a young son, and she's the overly perky and perfect mom that causes other parents to sneer and snark behind her back. She's also so desperate for human connection that she's willing to befriend Emily (Blake Lively),the martini-guzzling fashion industry executive who is a hands-off mother to Stephanie's son's friend. We soon learn that martinis and playdates shouldn't be mixed.

Stephanie and Emily share dark, personal secrets. Emily discusses the financial woes she and her husband Sean (Henry Golding, CRAZY RICH ASIANS) are experiencing, even though they live in an ultra-modern mansion. He had success with his first novel, but has been hit with writer's block since marrying Emily. Those secrets pale in comparison to what Stephanie unloads, leading Emily to anoint her with a crass (though quite accurate) label that no one would relish. Of course we later uncover Emily's truly dark (and deadly) secrets go far beyond possible late payments on the mortgage.

As the two ladies bond, we get the feeling that Emily is playing some type of game with the always-cheerful Stephanie, though to what end we aren't sure. One day, Stephanie does Emily a "favor" and then Emily disappears without a trace or word. The days pass and a sexual energy develops between Stephanie and Sean, while Stephanie users her Vlog as a tool in her amateur sleuthing.

It's tough enough to pull off a mystery, but a mystery-comedy is nearly the unicorn of cinema. Director Feig is at his best in the comedic moments - especially those featuring banter between Ms. Kendrick and Ms. Lively. Their scenes together are the highlights of the film ... well, those and the French pop soundtrack, including "Ca S'est Arrange" over an opening credit sequence that is itself, worthy of admission. The film is oddly structured, yet still entertaining. Act I is really a dark comedy and budding friendship between polar opposite personality types, while the rest is a messy mystery with some interesting elements.

Strong support work comes courtesy of Andrew Rannells, Aparla Nancherla, Kelly McCormack, and Jean Smart, though two standouts are Rupert Friend ("Homeland") as Emily's boss and a character seemingly straight out of ZOOLANDER, and Linda Cardellini ("Bloodlines") as an unhinged artist tied to Emily's past. The downside is that most of these scenes add to the comedy-sketch feel, which clashes so harshly with the mystery element that the sharp edge needed in the script becomes quite dulled.

Most every director dreams of being Hitchcockian, and that dream tends to push them towards this genre. Unfortunately, most end up disappointed, their films end up disappointing, and the genius and difficulty of what Hitchcock achieved is reinforced. It's clear Director Feig is a fan of the genre, as he includes nods to DIABOLIQE, GASLIGHT, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, and even Nancy Drew. However, acknowledging classic noir isn't enough to qualify for the label. The film has its moments, Ms. Kendrick is once again stellar in her role, and most viewers will find it entertaining despite the messiness.

Heard a lot of good things about 'A Simple Favour', love mystery/crime films, love a lot of comedy, there are examples of great films that mix both very well and really loved the idea. It was interesting to see Paul Feig do something different to his comedy films and adopt a change of pace (something that has been very variable in film) and the cast intrigued. It looked good too.

Luckily, 'A Simple Favour' lived up to high expectations. It is far from a simple film and that is to its credit, without being confused. Everything that 'A Simple Favour' was seen for don't disappoint and it is an example of a film that didn't waste its potential at all thankfully, having seen so many potential wastes recently that was refreshing, and even exceeds it. Not perfect by all means, but definitely a film well worth watching with secrets that intrigue and are worth uncovering.

'A Simple Favour's' final act/third is sadly a let down. It does start to drag at this point and then feels over-stuffed and muddled.

Further unravelled by a very far-fetched and less-than-probable ending, with the credibility strained to breaking point.

However, it is very stylishly shot with very elegant production design that matches the subtle comedy and dark tension in the thriller elements very well. Feig does very well directing a type of film atypical for him, while the script balances the comedy and thriller/mystery elements with smart aplomb. There are funny moments and others that bite the nails. The story is compelling throughout with some very surprising twists that don't confuse or lack credulity, it is not a simple story while not being convoluted on the most part. There is plenty of tension and a surprisingly dark tone to the thriller/mystery elements that blends with the sometimes subtly perky sometimes deliciously farcical comedy deftly instead of jarring.

The pace is not dull for much of the film. The characters are fun and the chemistry natural. Particularly well done in this regard is that between the two leads, which is the very meaning of killer whether in the witty sparring or adorably bonding, an unlikely one that works wonders. All the cast are spot on, Andrew Rannells and Rupert Friend are standouts in support but it's all about the leads and they can't be faulted. Anna Kendrick is adorable and charming even when not the brightest bulb on the block or smartest person in the world, while Blake Lively is deliciously vamp-ish.

Overall, very enjoyable. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Widower Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) is a try-hard mom at her young son Miles' school. She goes on her vlog to tell her viewers about her best friend who disappeared five days ago. She had first met Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) some weeks earlier. Emily is also a school mom but completely different. She's a fashionista as the head of PR for a fashion house. Her husband Sean Townsend (Henry Golding) had written an impressive book a decade ago but nothing else since.

Directed by Paul Feig, this is a black comedy crime thriller. I really like Kendrick's sly comedic timing and she works well with the statuesque Blake Lively. I almost wish that Kendrick turns out to be a psycho killer. It would be an interesting character for her to play. As a mystery, it's quickly solve by the performances. Kendrick refuses to suggest that she's a killer and Golding is incapable of the acting range. At the moment the body is found, I assumed it to be someone else. The police really needs to say the words, "The DNA confirms her identity." There is also an interesting fact that I know about identical twins which breaks this premise. Twins have different fingerprints. I have never heard of identical fingerprints. There is simply no way that the body could be misidentified unless some malpractice occurred. Sometimes, movie logic has to win out and one must accept that. I really like the sly dark comedic tone and I wanted more. My main complaint is the third act. It's trying too hard to finesse a twisty happy ending when the movie doesn't want it. It would be better to have a darker simpler ending. I would cut out Stephanie putting something in Sean's computer and the police arrest and the final attempt at a confession. I would replace that whole third act with the simple fake murder suicide as Emily wants. Emily getting her $4 million and her son. The movie deserves the darkest of endings.