Beautifully Shot Period Dramatic Comedy With Excellent Performances

Rating: 7/10 (21 January 2019)

Period dramas aren't in my wheelhouse. But I will see anything with (almost) Rachel Weisz. The Favourite when I saw the trailer the first time interested me but not enough to run out to see it. Months passed and it starting getting on tons of top ten lists. Then I was listening to the SlashFilm podcast and there were multiple people just raving about this film. And there was an element about the film that piqued my interest. More about that later. I had not seen a film from Yorgos Lanthimos before viewing this. I've heard mixed things about The Lobster and The Killing of Sacred Deer. They are both on my watchlist now. One thing I had read is that those films were odd and maybe because he was directing from his own script. This time around he was shooting from a script by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara.
The film takes place in 18th century England, following the relationship between Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) and her faithful aid Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz). Lady Sarah governs in the Queen's sted as her health is failing. But Sarah's cousin Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charms win Queen Anne, leading to a bitter rivalry and fight for the attention's of Anne and to be her favorite. At times this movie is utterly hilarious. There were moments I was laughing out loud. But then moments when it was hard to watch these three women just tear each other apart. And they do tear each other part, mentality and psychologically. It's such an entertaining watch because I didn't know where the film was going.
All three leads are excellent here. Colman is the standout because she has a wonderfully honest portrayal of a woman in power who's health is failing. She's gone through so much in her life she's quick to cling to anyone who is kind to her. But from the start we know she's not in the right frame of mind. I see exactly why she's one of the front-runners for all the lead actresses categories this award season. One person I definitely think needs more attention is Rachel Weisz. As Sarah, she's tough, firm but kind and caring. There is a genuine love that Sarah has for Anne. She just knows that Anne isn't always thinking clearly. Sarah makes the tough decision that Anne can't make which puts in not in a good like with parliament, one member which happens to be Nicholas Hoult as a biting member named Harley.
Emma Stone is good here. For the longest time, I was a "hater". But lately with her roles specifically this and Birdman, I'm starting to enjoy her on screen. For me, this is the best I've ever seen her. She takes what she wants as Abigail, having a rough past, does everything she can to get to where she can be content. But is she really content? All of these women want to be happy but do everything in their power to be totally miserable. I did not see elements of the loving relationship between Anne and Sarah. It's not shown off in the trailer but it's a key part of the film. Abigail uses her knowledge during a passionate moment to gain an upper hand. That spins the story upside down.
Lanthimos shoots this so well, with many pants, long takes and interesting use of fisheye lenses. The movie is beautiful to look at. Like a good oil painting, the cinematography will transport the viewer to this version of the 18th century. There are moments when modern-day traits show up. The dance during the middle of the film is hilarious to the point I really thought the actors on screen were going to start a breakdance battle. Even with the setting, the still film to engage on a dark comedic level. But it doesn't get as dark as expected. I thought things might get horrific. But it seems Lanthimos wasn't to show how horrible can be without being physically horrible.
I will say that the end, even though there was no way to for a happy ending, the film's end kind of let me down. I was expecting more. Maybe one last act of villainy or a character trying to get redemption. But no one is redeemed, everyone gets what's coming to them. The Favourite was entertaining with a great job by the lead actresses, all who show be get some recognition during this award season. It's dark, funny, depressing but overall a nice trip to a time that was in a country going through turmoil. I'm happy with my first feature from Yorgos Lanthimos. And very happy to see he didn't play up the LGBTQ factors for but let it play out naturally as a key point to express how much some of these characters love each other. I'm excited to see his previous films and see what he can come up with next.