Tanya’s Score: Good-and-a-half*
Rated: 14A
Starring: the cop from Broadchurch, Cousin Rachel, Billie Jean King, the boy from About a Boy
Plot: In 18th-century England, Queen Anne (Oliva Colman) is unknowingly manipulated by two of her maids (Rachel Weisz; Emma Stone) vying for her attention.
Tanya’s Verdict: In my opinion, this movie was borderline excellent. The sometimes subtle and often grotesque humour slotted into a strange and twisted storyline is what I most enjoy about Yorgos Lanthimos films – and with The Favourite – he does not disappoint. Although, this movie seems to be the most “normal” (as in fitting into the mainstream ideal of what a movie consists of) compared to the other three of his I’ve had the pleasure of watching (The Killing of a Sacred Deer [2017]; The Lobster [2015]; Dogtooth [2009])
Colman shines in her role as Queen – supposedly the most powerful woman in England yet plagued by physical and emotional weaknesses. Weisz is brilliant as smooth, cold and polished childhood friend to the Queen – willing to sacrifice almost anything as her puppet master. Stone with her wide, green eyes and sweet demeanour slyly steals the show with her self-serving ruthlessness. Watching these three women on screen – trading thinly veiled barbs was a highlight for me.
Then, in typical Lanthimos fashion – the movie ended and I was left confused and slightly bereft. I have come to realize, the conclusion is as it should be – but it doesn’t change the fact that the final 15 minutes of The Favourite had me glancing at my watch. Still – a pretty good movie – just a tad shy of great.
*Four score descriptions: Sh**; Okay; Good; Great