The Favourite Review

By G. Castilla

    The Favourite is a newly released movie. It is a recipient of an academy award, golden globe, several BAFTA and tied with Roma with 10 nominations for the academy award. including best motion pictures and two nominations for best-supporting actresses. This period cynical comedy was inspired by the life of Queen Anne of Great Britain, who lived during the early 18th century. The casting is brilliant and constitutes an army of previously acclaimed actresses for Academy Awards, including Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz. This mainly female cast brought an air of modernness to this piece, with strong, witty characters. In particular, Colman, who plays Queen Anne, and has a flair of comedy, but still capable of showing every emotion; be it to make you laugh, cry, smile, all throughout one single scene.
    The Favourite is set in England during a period of war with the French. Even so, the court's main interest is eating a fabulous buffet, duck and lobster racing. The fragile Queen (Olivia Colman) may occupy the throne, but her close friend, Lady Sarah (Rachel  Weisz) governs the country all whilst caring for the queen’s rapidly changing temper and poor health. When a new servant, Sarah’s cousin, Abigail Masham (Emma Stone), arrives, her calm and caring manners quickly charm Lady Sarah. 
    As the movie progresses, Abigail sees an opportunity to return to nobility, as her father sold her when she was younger and we learn her about her abuse under the hands of her buyer. As war and its consequences occupy Sarah, Abigail begins to care and offer companionship to the Queen. This new friendship allows Abigail to try and accomplish her ambitions, bringing to light a new, darker side of her.
    In addition, to its captivating, mood-reflecting music, the costumes were incredibly designed, the camera angles and use of the fisheye camera was carefully chosen. These items just added to the way the director, Yorgos Lanthimos, made every meticulous detail to his liking, transforming what could have been just another period drama into a contemporary, modern, dark comedy. Stone’s character was well thought and played, starting off as innocent and charming, to becoming someone no one could stop.  Determined and at times cruel. Her performance brought a witty, whimsical flair to the production. Whilst Weisz character, Sarah was properly the manifestation of stubborn resolve, fearless and who chooses to keep her friends close, whilst her enemies even closer, as she might shoot them any time. On the other hand, Colman’s presence was heavenly, her mood changing every second, she was the soul and body of this motion picture. Her performance was well acknowledged and received, well deservingly Best Actress at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. There is one scene, in particular, shown in the trailer where she asks a servant to look at her, and when he does, she gets infuriated, and begins to shout at him, in a matter of seconds she changes her opinion and resents the boy for looking at her, when she demands him to.
    Overall, The Favourite is a marvelous comedy for those who enjoy dark, cynical humour. The cast is extremely well selected and includes award winners and nominees. This period piece is one for the books and is fully recommended for those days where you’re just lurking about.