A Favourite Film Experience.

Rating: 8/10 (4 January 2019)

I felt slightly "spun out" by this film, in a good way. It was simple and complex. The staccato repetitive notes and lavish classical scores were beautiful and heightened the pressure of the scenes. Sometimes this felt almost too much temporal pressure.
The beautiful scenery and buildings, Hatfield House and Hampton Court Palace providing opulent and fitting settings for the majesty of some of the performances. Most of which seem professional and proficient, Olivia Coleman's decaying character showing her damage beautifully both inside and out and we get a glimpse of the pain of her history. Her acting is sublime.
"Some wounds do not close; I have many such." Queen Anne
Rachel Weisz was the choice after Kate Winslet to play Lady Sarah, a superior choice for this role in my opinion, with harder edges. It took much of the film until I noticed Rachel's beauty as her character was so convincing and managed to conceal it well.
Emma Stone as Abigail was an equal and did incredibly well to not be out shined by this stunning cast. I loved her character, driven and single minded. Beautiful and practical. I suspect Olivia will win the prizes but these three have no apprentice in each other.
I loved the eloquent use of the English language, clipped yet with great use of profanity. Beautiful uses of the C bomb! These gift some of the best laughs and there are a few.
The history and view of parliament and royalty, class and status, pomp, ridiculous outfits and beautiful dresses, fascinated and helped the sumptuous feel.
All this and a masterful tragic victory, the final scene so powerful yet left me bereft. This is an esculent, luscious and complex film with an acting masterclass and experience.
8/10 Treat yourself.