If period piece films have never been your cup of tea, you may want to reconsider by checking out Greek auteur Yargos Lanthimos’ ‘The Favourite.’ This wickedly entertaining costume drama has Oscar bait written all over it. This is a female-character driven film set in a male-dominated world. Bringing the story to life is credited to the three talented leads: Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone and Olivia Colman. There is backstabbing, tight corsets and a spot of lust in a bizarre love triangle for power. This is a masterfully crafted drama that starts off as a farce and unfolds into a dark battle of wits. ‘The Favourite’ is one of the best films of 2018 and a must-see for cinephiles.
Loosely based on a true story, it takes place during the early 18th century when Queen Anne (Colman) reigned over Great Britain. The mercurial leader’s legs are stricken with gout that makes it difficult for her to walk without a cane and wheelchair. She is surrounded by 17 pet bunny rabbits that represent each failed pregnancy that has left her childless. Colman delivers an iconic performance as the sad and unstable monarch. Her trusted friend and lover Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) is a powerful figure behind the throne. She influences many important decisions including the war being fought between England and France. Anyone who tries to defy Sarah’s authority is quickly dealt with and punished.
The story gets really good when Abigail Hill (Emma Stone) enters the Royal Palace. She’s a distant cousin of Sarah whose family has fallen on hard times. Sarah takes pity on Abigail and gives her a job as a maid. It doesn’t take Abigail long to get in the good graces of the queen when she picks local herbs that help sooth Anne’s aching legs. The witty banter is entertaining between the three women. The screenplay written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara is delightfully playful. Stone relishes the chance to play a bad-girl and goes toe-to-toe in many scenes with the terrific actress Weisz. The fun is watching Abigail become the queen’s favorite and Sarah become blackballed.
Director Lanthimos uses the regal palace like a cheeky playground for the rich aristocracy. The men prance around in wigs and make up while the women shoot birds for sport. One scene features a duck racing contest and another shows a provocative dance scene where they drop it low. It perfectly reflects the decadence of the aristocracy in power. One of the standout male performances of the ensemble goes to Nicholas Hoult as Robert Harley who is a politician trying to gain an advantage and sees that opportunity with the Abigail-Sarah rivalry. The battle for the queen’s attention is at times dark and seductive. Make no mistake about it. The queen may appear to be a bumbling fool but she rules the monarchy with an iron fist.
‘The Favourite’ is sinfully fun to watch. You won’t be able to find a better acting trio than with Weisz, Stone and Colman. It is a bold period piece film that totally centers on women. There is sex but not in a gratuitous way. The women use it as a manipulative tool. This is not a conventional royal drama and that’s why it is so good. ‘The Favourite’ is a delicious treat like one of Queen Anne’s decadent cakes she enjoys gorging on. Don’t miss it!
