The Favourite (2018), directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is a wickedly dark and comedic period drama that explores the power dynamics, manipulation, and betrayal at the court of Queen Anne in early 18th-century England. The film is a sharp, satirical look at the intrigues and rivalries of the royal court, centering on three women: Queen Anne (Olivia Colman), her close confidante Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz), and the ambitious newcomer Abigail Hill (Emma Stone). The film’s unique tone blends biting humor with emotional depth, creating a highly entertaining and thought-provoking story about ambition, loyalty, and deception.
Queen Anne, portrayed with sensitivity and depth by Olivia Colman, is a ruler struggling with both personal loss and the weight of her responsibilities. Colman’s performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, as she captures Anne’s vulnerability, eccentricities, and moments of genuine tenderness. At the heart of the film is the intense and manipulative rivalry between Lady Sarah, the Queen’s trusted advisor, and Abigail, a young woman who arrives at court seeking to climb the social ladder. As Abigail’s ambitions grow, she becomes increasingly willing to use her charm, wit, and cunning to outmaneuver Sarah and win the Queen’s favor.
Rachel Weisz’s Lady Sarah is a complex character, embodying both strength and insecurity as she navigates her position of power while dealing with the Queen’s increasingly erratic behavior. Weisz gives a captivating performance that balances authority with vulnerability. Emma Stone’s Abigail is a picture of calculated ambition, using both charm and guile to gain power in a world dominated by men. Stone’s performance is both humorous and chilling as Abigail’s true motives unfold.
The film’s visual style is striking, with Lanthimos employing a wide-angle lens and asymmetric framing to create a sense of unease and imbalance. The lavish costumes and ornate sets contrast sharply with the film’s sharp dialogue and biting humor, underscoring the absurdity of the world these women inhabit. The cinematography, by Robbie Ryan, uses light and shadow to highlight the characters’ emotional states and the shifting allegiances at court.
The film’s script is witty and full of dark humor, with Lanthimos and his team crafting sharp, memorable lines that highlight the cutthroat nature of power struggles. At times, the film feels like a modern-day political drama set in a historical context, with its portrayal of ambition, backstabbing, and manipulation feeling remarkably contemporary. The film’s tone is both satirical and tragic, exploring the cost of power and the lengths people will go to in order to maintain or gain influence.
The Favourite is a masterful blend of humor, drama, and political intrigue, featuring remarkable performances from its lead actresses. The film’s exploration of the complexities of power, love, and betrayal, set against the opulence of the royal court, makes it both entertaining and thought-provoking. Its dark, sardonic humor and beautifully crafted cinematography ensure that it remains one of the standout films of 2018.
