Unhinged and uproarious

Rating: 8/10 (8 January 2019)

Not really a fan of period costume dramas, nor a big lover of the royal family, meant I was going to avoid this movie. However, a friend said he'd seen it and enjoyed it and I trust his judgement so I thought I would give it a go. And I'm very glad that I did make the effort to do so, because once I got into it, I thought it was excellent.
The performances from the three female leads are superb, absolutely spot on and most compelling. Olivia Colman as a gout-ridden slightly crackers Monarch is wonderful, she has captured a schizoid personality that swings from childish humour to paranoid screaming in a very non-hysterical way. Rachel Weisz is captivating, icy and singleminded but ultimately outgunned by a devious Emma Stone.
The camera work is unusual to say the least but it worked for me, adding to the sense of craziness inherent throughout, as was the muscial score which was quirky and intrusive and appropriate. The structure of vignettes settled down easily enough and the denouement was puzzling and neat. Not everyone's cup of tea clearly but if you want some effing and jeffing and lots of puking, then roll up cos this has it in spades, along with some nice darkly humorous events.