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Yorgos Lanthimos’s (Dogtooth, The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer) latest and likely most accessible film is an outrageous period comedy with outstanding performances by Emma Stone, Olivia Colman and Rachel Weisz as its three central characters – all complex, flawed, entirely distinctive women.
The early 18th century: England is fighting the French and a frail, capricious Queen Anne (Colman) sits on the throne; though the country is governed on her behalf by Lady Sarah (Weisz), a close friend who also tends to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper.
But as the politics of war begin to consume Sarah’s time, a new servant, Abigail (Stone) steps into the breach as the Queen’s companion; with a rapidly burgeoning friendship that gives Abigail a chance to fulfil her wider ambitions – not letting woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.
It’s already in receipt of substantial critical acclaim following its first screenings at Venice, where Colman also won Best Actress for her uproarious performance as the wounded, infantile, eternally faddish Anne, a bleak but really hilarious creation; has won 10 British Film Awards and has been nominated for 5 Golden Globes.
A sometimes bizarre (racing lobsters, anyone?) black comedy of status, The Favourite is full of scabrous, misanthropic wit (thanks to an original script by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara) and wicked intrigue; a perfectly cut diamond of a film.
WATCH the FILM4 interview with Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz & Emma Stone.
AWARDS
Olivia Colman – WINNER
76th Golden Globe Awards – Actress in a Musical or Comedy Motion Picture
REVIEWS:
The Independent ★★★★★
Consistently, relentlessly hilarious, Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone are on top form in this deranged court comedy
Tomis Raffly, Roger Ebert, 3.5 / 4 stars
The Favourite is simply awe-inspiring in the way it harbours serious themes and anxieties about womanhood underneath a deceptively feather-light surface
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian ★★★★
Yorgos Lanthimos brings scabrous energy to this dark comedy of 18th-century court intrigue and Colman excels herself.
The Favourite conquers British independent film awards with record 10 wins
“Weird, dirty but accessible, The Favourite is a perfectly performed, thrillingly made period picture that morphs before your very eyes. Come for the top-drawer hi-jinx; stay for a moving look at human foibles and frailties.”
Empire
“Olivia Colman is priceless in punk Restoration romp”
Peter Bradshaw - The Guardian
“It’s a hilarious, buffoonish pleasure and a breeze to spend 120 minutes with”
The Independent
