The Favourite (2018)

Rating: 9/10 (18 February 2020)

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Starring Emma Stone, Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Nochols Hoult, James Smith, Joe Alwyn, Jenny Rainsford, Mark Gatiss. (R)
Debilitated Queen Anne (Colman) rules England in the early 1700s, though her close friend, confidante, and sometimes-lover, the ambitious Lady Sarah (Weisz), handles most of the governing duties herself. But then a new, young servant, Abigail (Stone), arrives, who reveals herself to be an even more cunning schemer for the affections and favor of the queen. Deliciously clever and witty costume drama, with moments of absurd and explosive humor that are all the more outrageous set against the ornately stuffy trappings, but it's also a fascinating study of character and rivalry among the three sharply-defined women. The most accessible (and also the least daring) of director Lanthimos' work to date--most likely, the result of him directing a screenplay he did not write himself (credited to Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara); what the film lacks in his typically outlandish conceptualization, it more than makes up for in waggishness and visual splendor. Plus, there's Stone, Colman and Weisz giving three of the most memorable performances of the year; all were nominated for Academy Awards, with Colman winning. Bunny lovers beware: Elmer F. has got nothing on Emma S.
91/100