With only three days left in the year, I'm behind on writing reviews by a substantial margin. There are ten films that I've seen and not yet reviewed, and quite a few I'd like to catch up on at the last minute via streaming or a recently acquired Blu-ray. Therefore, it's impossible for me to review EVERYTHING I've seen in 2018 before 2019 unless I write non-stop and flood social media with review after review. So I've chosen to prioritize reviewing a select few films which are The Favourite, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Vice. I'll do my best to share one review daily till December 31st.
'The Favourite' Review
Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director; Yorgos Lanthimos, Best Actress; Olivia Colman, Best Supporting Actress; Emma Stone, Best Supporting Actress; Rachel Weisz, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design.
Won: Best Actress; Olivia Colman.
In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend Lady Sarah governs her country in her stead while tending to Anne's ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing, and Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.
The Favourite is the latest, and likely most accessible, film from Greek writer/director Yorgos Lanthimos. For those unfamiliar with Lanthimos' work, I'd advise watching at least one of his previous films so you may be somewhat accustomed to his unconventional filmmaking approach. The only Lanthimos production I'd previously seen was The Killing of a Sacred Deer, but I am quite keen to watch The Lobster soon. At this point, I'd say it goes without saying that Lanthimos' films are eccentric and bizarre, which is precisely what I love about them. Lanthimos didn't write The Favourite, but Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara certainly considered his off-kilter tendencies when fabricating the razor-sharp story and witty dialogue. Though the setting, characters, and general plot are inspired by actual 18th century England, the historical accuracy is most certainly up for debate as story elements were likely embellished for the sake of Lanthimos' vision and artistic liberties were most certainly taken with the lesser known events.
Won: Best Actress; Olivia Colman.
In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend Lady Sarah governs her country in her stead while tending to Anne's ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing, and Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.
With immaculate costume design, lavish production design, and a series of concertos and sonatas from the likes of renowned Baroque period composers such as Vivaldi and Bach, The Favourite may resemble a traditional 18th century English period piece at first glance, but I can assure you that Lanthimos has whipped up something far more twisted and dastardly than one would expect. The devious plotting and elaborate machinations at the story's center are an utterly fascinating through-line which build and build to an enthralling power-struggle between two unrelenting advisors.
Lady Sarah and Abigail's rivalry is perhaps most intriguing on account of the heightened tension brewing just beneath the surface. As the women seek to out-scheme one another, their ultimate motivations remain a mystery. It's not till the film's phenomenal finale that the audience truly understands each character's endgame. Until then, you will question their loyalties and just how genuine their behavior is. Are their actions selfless or ultimately for selfish gain? The slow, scandalous unspooling of their inner thoughts amidst the conflict only further drew me in. This ever-changing dynamic is further enhanced by the efforts of Academy Award-winning actresses Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. They each exhibit a multifaceted performance which ranks among their very best work to date, and the two actresses dig deep into the unhinged, vindictive psyche of their respective characters while showcasing emotional vulnerability as well.
Rounding out the trio of powerhouse performances, Olivia Colman's Queen Anne is equally nuanced. Colman often quickly fluctuates between instances of childish pouting, unrestrained anger, and gleeful giddiness, but the mood swings don't feel cartoonish or exaggerated as they would have in the hands of a lesser actress. Needless to say, all three women are outstanding here and well-deserving of the awards recognition sure to come their way.
As for other supporting cast members, Nicholas Hoult and Joe Alwyn are impressionable and well worth mentioning for their roles as the big-wig Tory politician Harley and the nobleman Masham respectively.
In summation, you'll be hard-pressed to find another 2018 release which is as wickedly witty as The Favourite. Yorgos Lanthimos' sadistic, dark humor remains unchallenged, and Lanthimos has gained favor in my eyes as one of the most abstract filmmakers working today. I'm further drawn into following his filmmaking career from now on. Fittingly, The Favourite has become not only one of my favorite films in the awards race but one of my favorites of the year as well!
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