Winner of a slew of international awards (with more undoubtedly to come, including Golden Globes and Oscars), The Favourite is a deliciously ribald entertainment of power struggles at the 18th century English court of Queen Anne.
A petulant, gout-suffering Anne (a magnificent Olivia Colman) may be Queen but the real power lies in the hands of a suffer-no-fools Lady Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz). But when a penniless distant cousin of Sarah’s (Emma Stone) arrives at the palace, a battle for the royal favour ensues.
The off-kilter humour is exactly what you’d expect from director Yorgos Lanthimos as the three powerhouses lock horns – leaving the political power struggles of Whips and Tories and England’s war with France as some seemingly minor distraction.
Nominated for 10 Oscars in 2019 including best film, director, supporting actress (both Rachel Weisz & Emma Stone) and original screenplay, won 1 for best actress – Olivia Colman.
Rating: 86%
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos (The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Lobster)
Writer: Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara (The Rage in Placid Lake, TV’s Doctor Doctor)
Main cast: Olivia Colman (The Lobster, Hyde Park on Hudson), Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener, The Lobster), Emma Stone (La La Land, Birdman)
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