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The problem begins with a notice of a high school reunion.  It prompts suburban wife and mom, Kathy Whiting, to think about her wilder, more passionate days as a 16 year old cheerleader in the arms of her equally passionate quarterback boyfriend, Tommy.   The film's opening credits roll with a hilarious dream sequence with Kathy as a nubile woman in the arms of that high school Romeo, interspersed with snippets of reality from her youngest daughter who wants Mommy to explain if dead people make water.

To pursue her fantasy, Kathy enlists her best friend Emily (Elizabeth McGovern) to look up Tommy (Ken Wahl) when she goes to Denver to check out a gallery for an art show (thus, the "favor".)  When Emily returns, she is so overwhelmed with passion about the encounter with the old beau that it makes Kathy turn green with envy, and she spends the rest of the movie trying to recapture that old feeling which gets them both in trouble.  But Emily is really in love with Elliott Fowler (Brad Pitt), a younger man and talented artist who is very nervous about commitment.  

Throw into the mix Kathy's paranoid mathematics professor husband (played with wacky sincerity by our man Bill) and his even nuttier colleague, Joe Dubin, who fuels poor Peter's growing suspicions about his wife and the handsome young Elliot, and you have a recipe for marvelous slapstick.  Check out the "car chase" as Peter and Prof. Joe follow Kathy  driving  her station wagon all over town.

The craziness comes to a head in Denver as the four major players gather at Tommy's rustic cabin.  But like all good romantic comedies, the true lovers match up, kiss and all's well that ends well.

There are terrific moments of outstanding comedy:  Kathy does a seductive dance wearing baby doll pajamas while Peter makes a sandwich, explains fractural geometry and reversing magnetic fields, and feeds the dog, all while not missing a beat.   Bill does an excellent job with that scene, convincingly playing the out-there-without-a-clue mathematician.  Kathy and Emily attend a childbirth class for "odd couples" (get a load of Holland Taylor as the New Age-y instructor.)   Brad Pitt is actually enjoyable in the role of the out-of-his-league artist and boyfriend.  Kathy's fantasy sequences are at times hysterical (can all of us put ourselves on that butcher block??)  It gives the black & red plaid flannel shirt a whole new meaning.

Pullman is very convincing as the faithful, but somewhat distracted husband dad and shows his forgiving side as he tries to understand Kathy’s feelings.   He proves to be an adept comedic straightman with exquisite timing.

In the tradition of the wonderful screwball romantic comedies, "The Favor" is a favorite, all right.   One of  Juanita's (and dlrs's)  favorite Bill movies.  Rated R for bad words (just a few) and adult situations that you may not want to show the kiddies.

summary & comments by Juanita and dlrs