Amazing acting and filming. But that ending!!

Rating: 7/10 (13 January 2019)

I write this review seriously torn. My partner was bored rigid with this film but I was engrossed throughout.
Plot summary: two women vie for the attention of Queen Anne, leading to some underhand tactics.
So, let's just wash over the historical inaccuracies shall we. I'm aware there isn't really much evidence that Queen Anne was attracted to women, but it isn't beyond the realms of possibility, so I can go with that.
The acting is indeed exemplary. All three of the main roles played it with an intensity and they had a real spark. I also thought the supporting cast was superb.
The cinematography was first class. I loved that classic camera pan the director is known for, and it created a quite claustrophobic feel (in a good way) that added to the tension and underhand tactics that the characters were involved in.
The plot - it was intriguing to the point where I actually wanted to learn more about the characters and did some research afterwards, as well as the role of the Whigs in parliament, which I knew little about. It's also completely bonkers. There is a scene where they are throwing oranges at a naked man in a wig for entertainment, and for me this really showed how out of touch these people were with the real world.
Here be spoilers....
What I can't get my head round is the ending. I'm going to say some things that happen so look away now...
So at the end, Emma stone's character has triumphed in usurping Rachel Weisz's role as queen's confidante, but the queen seems torn by this situation. There then follows a scene where she asks her to rub her leg. The queen pulls her hair, there is a suggestion of eroticism but not overtly implied. Then there's this strange juxtaposition of both of their faces looking miserable, and lots of rabbits, which I'm guessing is some nod to how this had added to the queen's sadness (that a part of her leaves with every child, and perhaps this is true now lady Marlborough has left)
I'm totally guessing though, as I found it a really disappointing ending. I can deal with films not wrapping things up in neat little ribbons, but for me this was a bit of a step too far. A frustrating ending for an otherwise excellent film. 7/10