Review of The Favourite (2018) by David H — 14 Dec 2018
More restrained and "realistic" than Lanthimos' other films. There are some delightful anachronisms, but no surrealism or deeply disturbing content as before. This film is closer to the palace intrigue of Dangerous Liasons and Barry Lyndon.
Nonetheless, it's still a shocking, hilarious and lively look at life in another time and place. Performances all around are superb, including a breakthrough for Emma Stone as a dark and ruthless woman.
Olivia Coleman is a treasure and Nicholos Holdt is exquisite. Rachel Weisz is her usual superb self, but this type of character does not feel like a stretch for her. Don't get me wrong; she's great but Stone and Holdt are a revelation.
As always with Lanthimos (and his spiritual father Kubrick), there's real love beneath the machinations of these characters. Whose love is the question: for country, for family or for self?
This review of The Favourite (2018) was written by David H on 14 Dec 2018.
The Favourite has generally received very positive reviews.
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