The Favourite

I have a really long list of movies to see in the next little while (it might help if I didn't keep going to see Bohemian Rhapsody over and over) but I crossed one of them off yesterday by seeing The Favourite.  In 18th century England, Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) suffers from gout and is more concerned with playing with her rabbits (which represent all of the children she has lost) than in governing the country which is it war.  Anne's closest confidante, and secret lover, is Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz).  Anne is completely under the control of Sarah, who essentially rules the country through her influence and advocates for more taxes to support the war.  Abigail Hill (Emma Stone), a cousin of Sarah's whose family has lost their place in society, applies to Sarah for a job at court and is employed as a scullery maid.  Abigail impresses Anne when she creates an herbal remedy for her gout and is promoted.  She cultivates an alliance with the opposition in government, Robert Harley (Nicholas Hoult), who encourages her promotion because he wants her to influence Anne to end the war.  She eventually begins to insinuate herself into Anne’s favor which causes open warfare between Abigail and Sarah.  Much like Yorgos Lanthimos' other films, The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, this is a scathing and satirical commentary on social norms and, while it is much more accessible than the other two, it is filled with the absurd (racing ducks, throwing pomegranates at a naked man, and breakdancing at a ball).  His movies always make me laugh but feel vaguely uncomfortable!  However, it is just so much fun watching the machinations of both Sarah and Abigail as they compete for power and I never really knew which one I wanted to prevail.  Weisz and Stone give amazing performances but Colman is simply brilliant as the capricious and petulant, yet ultimately sympathetic, Queen who plays both women off of each other for her own gain.  The use of a fish-eye lens, long tracking shots, and the low-angle perspectives all serve to keep the action slightly off-kilter and the use of low lighting emphasizes the intrigue.  The overdecorated interiors and elaborate black and white costumes are a superb backdrop for this biting comedy of manners.  It isn't for everyone but I loved it!