Better after I thought about it

Rating: 8/10 (1 January 2019)

My first reaction to this film was that it was gorgeous to look at, had three great performances and a mean-spirited and pretentious ending. I did find the central question, whether the person whose interests are with Anne's country and who is honest with her versus the person whose interests are with herself therefor is more inclined to make Anne happy is the "better" friend to be fascinating. Yet, I also found there to be a homophobic streak in this - with lesbian sex portrayed as a debauched manipulation - and an unpleasant cynical streak. However, when I thought about it, the film firmly seems to side with the ostensibly villain, The Duchess of Marlborough. Even though she commits the sin of ambition (terrible for a woman even now) and is blunt and political, in the end she wants the best for Anne and England as well as herself. Abigail is the villain even though she is the ostensible protagonist. It's a good film and a thought provoking one, but not one I would say I enjoyed.