In January 2019, Yorgos Lanthimos will regale us with his new comedy The Favourite.On the bill, three women to interpret the main female characters.
After The Lobster and Killing the Sacred Deer, Lantimos did not call on his favorite actor Colin Farrell this time. The stars of the film are three actresses: Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman. In the script, another woman is present, Deborah Dean Davis, alongside Tony McNamara. The production remains, meanwhile, exclusively male.
A scenario inspired by real events
The film is based in England at the beginning of the eighteenth century, during the war with the France. Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) is on the throne but, weak, it is her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) who rules the country while taking care of the sovereign's illness and temperament. Everything changes when a new servant, Abigail (Emma Stone), arrives. Taken under Sarah's wing, she sees on this occasion her chance to regain her status as an aristocrat. Fully occupied with political activities, Sarah gives Abigail the opportunity to approach the Queen and forge friendships. To achieve her ambitions, Abigail will not let any woman, man or even politics stand in her way.
A comedy in tune with the times
As usual, Yorgos Lanthimos offers a black comedy. The Favourite is no exception to the rule and presents itself as a dirty, violent and scandalous period film that mixes coarse language and distressing behavior. Strangely, it would also be extremely touching, because despite the delusions and sheer brutality of the film, The Favourite remains very believable. The skillful script and superb performances of the actresses produce likeable characters who continue to grow, learn and fight for what they think is best for the Queen and the country.
If you want to have a good time, you can, from January 2019, enjoy this comedy. A comedy that, in the end, nevertheless turns into a drama. Because unfortunately, like our societies still subject to patriarchy, the women in the film tend to compete with each other. But, as the English journalist Nicholas Barber asks in his review: "If these heroines could work together and not against each other, who knows what they could have achieved? »
The Favourite VO trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqYlnvghV-U
