Yorgos Lanthimos is one of the most visionary filmmakers of today. Having brought audiences cult favorites like The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Lanthimos is something to aspire to for budding experimentalists in the industry. His 2018 film, The Favourite, starring Olivia Coleman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone, is Lanthimos’ first released project not written by Lanthimos himself; but, the film retains Lanthimos’ magic nonetheless. Already sporting a Golden Globe award for Olivia Coleman’s performance and tied with Alfonso Cuarón for most Academy Award nominations, the film is certainly worthy of accolade.
The film is a period piece inspired by the happenings of Great Britain’s 18th-century court, led by Queen Anne, played by Olivia Coleman. Coleman’s performance is nothing short of excellent (well-worthy of her growing collection of awards) as she justly performs Anne with a complexity that highlights the film’s greatest successes. The Favourite is ultimately a comedic exploration of power with just enough gravity that it lands with a deep emotional resonance. As two members of Anne’s court, Sarah and Abigail (played brilliantly by Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone respectively, who are also garnering plenty of positive critic attention), vie for proximity to the queen through romantic ties, and subsequently influence the political balance of Britain’s war with France, an astute commentary of power’s cursed and intoxicating properties emerges.
Image credit: Yorgos Lanthimos/20th Century Fox
What would one sacrifice for power? What is the meaning of true power? Is there anything worth more than the elusive grasp of prosperity and impact? All these questions are probed in Lanthimos’ latest masterpiece.
On screen, the visuals, costuming, set design and (it is worth being mentioned yet again) razor sharp casting and performances are mesmerizing. The film does not rely on gaudy ornamentation, however. The film’s triumphant display of stunning, shocking, and altogether enchanting appearance is thanks to fully-realized scripting that champions dynamic and inspired women. The characters are lovable and despicable, and that is because they’re entirely human.
The Favourite has remarkable (re)watchability. Lanthimos is well on his way to becoming one of the most unique and memorable filmmakers of all time, especially if he continues to pair himself with such fiercely talented leads.