DOUBLEFEATUREPREACHERS
  • Home
    • David's Reviews
    • Shannon's Reviews
    • DFP Reviews
  • Browse
  • About
  • Contact

The Favourite - A

2/11/2019

0 Comments

 
​Quick Hit:  Deliciously decadent and full of filth as well. 
Picture
Yorgos Lanthimos’s last couple films were a mixed bag for me. We had The Killing of a Sacred Deer, which was pretty much as black as sin. There was also The Lobster, which had amusing moments as well as being a dark film full of death. So I was expecting a much darker film when I went into The Favourite. It’s definitely a dark comedy, but there is no doubt that it is a comedy.
​
The film follows the exploits of Queen Anne (Olivia Coleman) as she navigates the court in the midst of a war with France. She is rarely without her lady in waiting, Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), who is a lifelong friend of the Queen and ministers to her every need. Their world is changed when Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives from the country, covered in mood and asking for a chance to serve for her cousin, Lady Sarah. Sarah eventually sees in her an intelligent pawn to be used in her game, which consists of manipulating the court, such as Leader of the Opposition, Lord Harley (Nicholas Hoult).
Picture
The film eventually begins to spiral as Abigail climbs first into a position of favor (hence the title) and then a position of power. So much of the film hinges on the performance of Stone, and she is nothing but fantastic. She is able to give the smallest of glances that betray her true intentions, but yet, she portrays an innocence throughout, even when it has eventually come too far. Weisz is her foil and is just as terrific, nothing but power and pure honesty throughout the film, even in her weakest moments. But both are dwarfed by the Titanic performance seen in Colman, whose Queen Anne is equal parts disgusting and imposing, whimsical as well as pitiful. Whereas the film hinges on the relationship between Weisz and Stone, the film rests on Colman who is glorious in her role.
​
So much of the look and feel of the film can be attributed to the production design. Every part of the palace seems stuffed with… well, stuff. Paintings, mirrors, vases, all are there, but there are also windows and tapestries and huge four poster beds. The look of the costumes can also be mentioned, because their delicious and play well with the design of the sets – whereas the sets are constantly reflected in shadow, the black and white costume palette pops to catch your eye. Lanthimos helps this by using a wide array of filming techniques, and here is the only part of the film I can detract. For some reason, he consistently uses a fish-eyed lens. This creates, at times, a dizzying effect that is a bit too much. It’s almost as if, in the spirit of the excess of the royalty, some rubbed off on Lanthimos too.
Picture
But despite it all, I was constantly entertained by The Favourite. The dialogue does everything short of crackle and pop, because it is wickedly smart. It’s full of puns and witticisms, and sexually charged to boot. When given to these extremely talented actresses, there is nothing more that can be asked for. It’s as delightful as oh, a piece of cake. I’m giving The Favourite an “A”.

For more on this film, check out IMDB. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    David

    ​"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" 
                      -Jack Torrance                         (Shining)

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Animated
    Based On A True Story
    Comedy
    Crime
    Drama
    Family
    Fantasy
    Horror/Thriller
    Musical
    Mystery
    Romance
    Science Fiction
    Superhero
    Western

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • David's Reviews
    • Shannon's Reviews
    • DFP Reviews
  • Browse
  • About
  • Contact