Film

The Favor

Name: The Favor
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: 1994
Cast: Harley Jane Kozak, Elizabeth McGovern, Bill Pullman, Brad Pitt, Larry Miller

Romantic comedy
Light-hearted

A screwball romantic comedy about a bored housewife who manipulates her single best friend into seducing an old flame—only to watch everything spiral when real feelings get involved. It's frisky, silly, and surprisingly warm about friendship and desire, with a terrific early-90s cast doing committed comedic work. Built for anyone who misses when romantic comedies were genuinely playful about sex and scheming.

TMDb rating

2.5

If you liked this

Disclosure1994

Another 1994 film mining dark comedy from workplace seduction and attraction, with Michael Douglas and Demi Moore sparring through power dynamics and gender games. Sharp, satirical, and uncomfortable in ways that feel intentional.

But It ages poorly in places—the gender politics can veer into discomfort that doesn't quite land as critique anymore, and the tone wobbles between thriller and satire.

Flirting1991

A genuine, witty coming-of-age romance that treats young attraction with intelligence and humor. Thandiwe Newton and Noah Taylor have real chemistry, and the film remembers that seduction and self-discovery are intertwined.

But It's quieter and more introspective than The Favor—if you want laughs and chaos, this is more lyrical than comedic.

Four Rooms1995

Ensemble comedy about a hotel night shift spiraling into absurdity, with the same manic energy and commitment to awkward seduction scenarios. It's messy and silly in ways that feel liberating.

But The tonal shifts are jarring and the premise wears thin by the second hour. Some sketches land harder than others.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from The Favor

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Ghostbusters II1989

Pullman's charisma in both films comes from playing men caught between schemes, attraction, and their own earnestness—he's the audience surrogate who wants to believe in connection.

Bill Pullman—who's excellent in The Favor—gets to be a straight-man lead opposite the Ghostbusters team, all scheming and attraction and romantic rivalry. It's schlocky supernatural comedy with genuine warmth about people trying to impress each other.

But It's a sequel to a beloved original and doesn't have the same magic. If you're not in the mood for goofy 80s effects and one-liners, it feels dated and slight.

Dave1993

Kevin Kline double role in a smart political comedy about deception and identity. It's got the same warmth and humor about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

But It's gentler and more earnest than The Favor—less about romantic mischief, more about good intentions and redemption.

In Good Company2004

Romantic comedy about age, ambition, and attraction that actually respects its premise. Topher Grace and Dennis Quaid have genuine chemistry and the film finds humor in real stakes.

But It's played somewhat straight—less anarchic and scheming than The Favor, more interested in sincerity than chaos.

While You Were Sleeping1995

Sandra Bullock in a romantic comedy about deception and longing that works because the film knows when to stop joking. It's got warmth, genuine stakes, and terrific supporting characters.

But It's sweeter and more sentimental than The Favor. If you want acid and scheming, this is comfort food instead.

Bed of Roses1996

Christian Slater and Mary Stuart Masterson in a quiet, inventive romantic comedy about isolation and connection. It trusts the audience to follow romance that isn't based on screwball chaos.

But It's genuinely melancholic underneath—less concerned with laughs than with the loneliness that drives the setup.

Sabrina1995

Audrey Hepburn's original (not the Harrison Ford remake) is a masterclass in romantic comedy about deception, class, and what you actually want versus what you thought you wanted.

But It's from 1954 and moves at a different pace—if you want snappy 90s energy, this is composed and elegant instead.

Office Romance1977

A Soviet romantic comedy about manipulation, attraction, and the schemes people use to get what they want. It's genuinely funny and surprisingly tender about desire and connection.

But It's a subtitled 1970s Russian film with a very different comedic register—quirky and odd rather than zany and bright.

The Producers1968

Both films find comedy in characters willing to manipulate others for desire or status, then discover the manipulation has real consequences they didn't anticipate.

Mel Brooks's original (not the 2005 musical) is anarchic comedy about con artists, seduction, and how wanting things desperately makes you do ridiculous things. It has the same DNA as The Favor—elaborate schemes, sex, and people tangled up in their own ambitions.

But It's from 1967 and the humor is sometimes juvenile and sometimes dated. If you want polished 90s comedy, this is shaggy and strange and takes patience.

Crimes and Misdemeanors1989

Both films understand that the most interesting comedies are about what happens when attraction meets dishonesty—but one finds it funny and one finds it tragic.

Woody Allen examining infidelity, attraction, and the small lies we tell ourselves—but as moral philosophy instead of farce. It's got the same cast-of-characters energy and the same understanding that seduction and self-deception are cousins.

But It's a serious film about serious things, only some of which are funny. If you want romantic comedy, this is a drama about romance that will make you uncomfortable.