Anna Kendrick's Sexuality Explored

The premise is brilliantly unconventional, reflecting filmmaker Paul Feig's distinctive, offbeat sense of humor in "A Simple Favor." It presents a dichotomy of mothers: one who sips martinis versus one who gulps them, a fashion-conscious attendee of the Met Gala versus an ordinary mom, and an aspirational individual versus someone who is undeniably extra.

This depiction of everyday maternal interactions, essentially a contemporary mom-comedy, continues until Emily (Blake Lively) inexplicably vanishes. Emily's sudden absence spurs Stephanie (Kendrick) into action, initiating a personal inquiry by leveraging her sharp Nancy Drew-like investigative skills and disseminating heartfelt video appeals on her unassuming craft vlog. (Tutorials for friendship bracelets will undoubtedly be postponed.)

Is it somewhat theatrical? Indeed. Does it possess a certain queer undertone? Undoubtedly so. This aligns naturally with Kendrick's fifteen-year career, which is deeply imbued with a sense of queerness. At the tender age of seventeen, she honed her acting craft in "Camp," a 2003 teen musical-comedy helmed by the openly gay filmmaker Todd Graff. Subsequently, as Beca, she injected a subtle, unspoken gay sensibility into the widely acclaimed three-part "Pitch Perfect" series. Furthermore, in 2014, the then thirty-three-year-old, Oscar-nominated performer donned Cinderella's iconic glass slippers for Stephen Sondheim's theatrical production of "Into the Woods." And that extended, spontaneous kiss - described by Emily as "just another Tuesday" - shared with Lively in "A Simple Favor" is, as she herself acknowledges, not precisely conventional.

In this discussion, the actress, a long-standing supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, elaborates on her efforts to nurture the burgeoning romantic connection between the subtly queer-coded "Pitch Perfect" protagonists, Beca and Chloe (Brittany Snow). She also addresses her frustrations with self-congratulatory responses to celebrities revealing their sexual orientation and, concerning her own identity, expresses a desire to be as open as Emily.

A car sing-along, a touch of camp, some martinis, and a mom making out - Anna, you certainly grasp what resonates with the gay community at this juncture in your career, wouldn't you agree?

(Chuckles) Oh, goodness! I hadn't considered it from that specific angle, but yes, it does possess a certain camp quality. While it maintains a degree of seriousness, there's an underlying sense of shared amusement and playfulness. The film is vibrant and colorful, characterized by an unapologetic theatricality, even as certain situations carry genuine peril.

When you commenced work on the film, did you not perceive an inherent queer sensibility?

Frankly, upon entering the project, there was an abundance of material to explore. I recall engaging in a conversation with Blake where we both felt a sense of bewilderment, as if questioning, "Are we experiencing a heightened state of consciousness right now? Is this a conversation we'd have while under the influence?" This was because we were discussing how, in a conventional comedy, there's a spectrum from subtle to overt, but with this film, it felt as though we weren't confined to a linear progression - we were operating in three dimensions, allowing for exploration across all these varied possibilities.

It was an immensely enjoyable experience for us as actors, and I recognize that might sound rather spacey, philosophical, and perhaps a tad foolish. Nevertheless, the world Paul conceptualized offered a wealth of potential, so my focus wasn't particularly on any singular demographic. I was barely managing to comprehend the film's core identity! However, I believe Stephanie genuinely embodies the underdog, striving to discover her place in the world. I feel that this is a sentiment with which individuals within the queer community can likely identify at some point in their lives.

What was your impression upon arriving on set for the first time and encountering the rather substantial painting of Blake as Emily's anatomy, prominently displayed in Emily's primary living area?

Alright, this is actually quite fascinating: That particular artwork - a little-known fact - was never physically present on the filming location. It was entirely incorporated through post-production visual effects. On occasion, it was achieved using green screen technology, and at other times, it was substituted with a different, aesthetically pleasing painting that leaned towards a more artistic, "Tumblr-esque" style. It was actually Blake's own suggestion to imbue it with a slightly more, shall we say, risqué quality. While undoubtedly a piece of art, it served to amplify the shock value for Stephanie's reaction, presenting a less polished, less conventionally attractive, and less demure image. I found that concept to be remarkably clever.

Regarding the "Pitch Perfect" franchise: Will audiences ever witness the Beca and Chloe romance storyline that they so richly deserve?

I concur. I genuinely desired a conclusion that favored a Bechloe outcome, and we did film an alternative ending where Brittany and I, through a bit of subterfuge, managed to capture a segment where we, as a couple, were united. We understood it was an ambitious undertaking. It held considerable significance for us that there was such a devoted following for their nascent relationship, and indeed, I believed it would have been a splendid development had it ultimately come to fruition. If a fourth installment were ever to materialize, I would passionately advocate for it, though I harbor doubts about its likelihood.

Is the studio hesitant to explore their sexuality more explicitly?

It wasn't a matter of Universal imposing a directive like, "No lesbians allowed in 'Pitch Perfect'!" Clearly, Cynthia Rose is a character who openly identifies as gay. However, I believe their hesitation stemmed from a lack of understanding regarding the significant online discourse surrounding the characters, whereas I am constantly exposed to it, leading me to exclaim, "Are you serious? This is precisely what the audience desires!"

What is the most exceptional instance of Bechloe fanfiction focusing on their romantic relationship that you have encountered?

Alright, to be entirely truthful, I have only attempted to read one such piece. It was so endearingly sweet and reminiscent of youthful infatuation that my reaction was, "Aww, I was hoping for something a bit more daring!" I had anticipated being taken aback by its boldness! Instead, I found myself thinking, "How charming! This is quite akin to the narrative style of 'The Baby-Sitters Club' books." Nevertheless, I haven't pursued further readings in this genre.

On a past occasion, you encountered an individual at a Gelson's market who informed you that they embody your character Fritzi from "Camp" through drag performance. Firstly, how frequently do you encounter drag queens in grocery stores who profess you as their artistic inspiration?

(Chuckles) Not with sufficient regularity! That particular encounter stands out as one of my most cherished instances of being recognized. And forgive me, but what was the latter portion of your inquiry? I became rather animated.

Which of your other character portrayals do you believe would translate effectively into drag performances?

Stephanie exhibits a distinct resemblance to Sandy from "Grease," in that she doesn't entirely succumb to becoming the "bad girl" but rather experiences a loosening of her inhibitions and expresses herself more freely. However, I have always retained a fondness for Rizzo in "Grease," who exudes more charisma than Sandy, so I'm uncertain if Stephanie definitively fits that mold. She would need to truly embrace a more uninhibited persona.

You have previously stated that you toned down Fritzi's sexuality during the filming of "Camp."

The aspect of Fritzi that caused me discomfort was rooted in my age, sixteen at the time, and it wasn't so much her being gay - rather, it was the element of unrequited homosexual affection. I suspect if she had been actively pursuing and successfully engaging with girls, my reaction would have been a resounding, "Fantastic, absolutely marvelous!" The issue was that, at sixteen, one is disinclined to portray a character who is not reciprocated in affection, an insecurity I now recognize as rather trivial as I've matured. However, at that moment, I distinctly recall thinking, "Couldn't someone at least have a crush on me in a film - for goodness sake!"

In retrospect, would you have approached Fritzi's character with a different perspective?

The honest truth is, I believe I would have simply savored the experience more. Todd Graff is an exceptional individual, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had him as my inaugural film director. He truly guided me to embody the character in ways that, perhaps, I would have naturally done as a more seasoned performer anyway. Nevertheless, I do lament not having embraced the experience with greater enjoyment.

You recently received the Choice Twit award at this year's Teen Choice Awards, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if your most notable tweet was this one: "Many individuals appear exceedingly proud of themselves for declaring they 'already knew' Barry Manilow was gay. Indeed... you are the true paragons of virtue today, gentlemen."

The tendency for people to adopt an attitude of, "Duh, we were already aware," when a public figure discloses their sexual orientation strikes me as exceptionally peculiar. Even when celebrities announce their pregnancies, individuals don't typically respond with, "Duh, we could have discerned that three months ago." Instead, their reaction is usually, "Aww, she's finally ready to share the news of her pregnancy! That's wonderful!"

One might expect that one's sexuality would be met with unequivocal support, given their newfound comfort in discussing it. It's a rather odd phenomenon to feel a sense of intellectual superiority for having deduced it first.

A significant portion of your work possesses a subtly queer characteristic. Was this also true for your portrayal of Santa Claus's daughter in the upcoming film, "Noelle"?

Once again, I would venture to say that "Noelle" incorporates a degree of campiness, which I trust will be found enjoyable. It has been an considerable amount of time, and I haven't yet viewed a final cut of the film, leaving me somewhat uncertain about the outcome. Oh, but they did make a conscious effort to include same-sex couples in various scenes, whether set within the North Pole or in its external environs.

Returning to the subject of A Simple Favor: Where do you perceive Stephanie and Emily positioned on the Kinsey Scale?

That is an astute observation. My assessment is that Emily represents an unexpected revelation for Stephanie, who finds herself completely captivated by her in a manner that she struggles to fully comprehend. I do believe that Stephanie would likely categorize herself as heterosexual; however, there exists this particular woman who evokes genuine affection within her, and a part of her experiences attraction towards her.

Regarding that particular scene: I recall both Blake and I feeling a reluctance to assume the role of the initiator. Blake expressed concern that her actions might be misconstrued as taking advantage of my character, given Stephanie's vulnerable state at that moment. Conversely, I worried that my portrayal might suggest an excessive yearning, implying that Blake was merely engaging in playful behavior. Emily, it seems, is quite at ease with the fluid aspects of her sexuality, whereas Stephanie's experience is more deeply intertwined with emotional considerations. Consequently, my apprehension was that the scene might inadvertently convey a sense of melancholy. We undoubtedly grappled with achieving that ideal equilibrium, where a singular moment occurs, and both characters become enveloped by it, resulting in a degree of awkwardness. Yes, it proved to be a rather engaging day.

Throughout the years, you have openly discussed your admiration for other women. Have you ever experienced a female admiration that either was or had the potential to develop into a romantic connection?

Allow me to deliberate on that. I can confirm that there is an individual with whom I remain friends, and upon our initial encounter, we shared a kiss. This occurred after high school, and it was my first experience kissing a girl where it wasn't merely for the sake of appearance at a gathering, with an audience of males observing! That rather regrettable performative silliness. However, I don't believe I have experienced that profound emotional affection for a woman, which is not to say it could never happen, but I feel I am more akin to Emily than to Stephanie.

And your lip-lock with Blake Lively, whom you've admired for a considerable time, in this film - any thoughts to share?

(Chuckles) Honestly, my primary consideration during any kissing scene revolves around the availability of gum or mints. I suspect Blake shares this sentiment, as I've never observed a gentleman actively searching for oral hygiene products. Therefore, we were undeniably the most minty-fresh individuals to have ever engaged in a kiss in the annals of American cinema.

Heartfelt congratulations!

Thank you kindly. Perhaps Guinness World Records should be notified.

"A Simple Favor" is currently playing in cinemas nationwide as of September 14th.