The Favourite movie review

MOVIE TITLE:   The Favourite

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 59 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE:  B+

IN A NUTSHELL: The exceptional acting, witty dialogue, gorgeous costume, and set design are outstanding in this saucy “costume drama” and period piece.  Many movie critics say it has Oscar bait written all over it.  I have extremely mixed feelings about this movie.  So do moviegoers, based on the wide variety of rave reviews and hate reviews.  How much of the story is true remains debatable.  After you watch it, you feel dirty and beat up, yet impressed with the powerful message that decadence is its own punishment.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• This is not a film for children. If you want them to learn about Queen Anne’s reign in England from this film, be sure to filter nudity and profanity before you share this with them.  There is a lot of raunch, filth, and sex.  The movie makes you feel dirty.  While I didn’t like any of that, I admit that the film is done exceptionally well.
• You see the naked chests of several women and heaving chests in low-cut dresses, as well as women’s rear ends. I was surprised that Emma Stone actually begged director Yorgos Lanthimos to let her have a topless scene.  I just don’t want or need to see any of that.
• Crude language, profanity, including many F-bombs and uses of the “C” word.
• Women kiss and are seen in bed together in lesbian relationships. There is a lot of hand motions involved in many scenes with men and women.
• Talk of rape.
• You see a naked man covering his private parts.
• In several scenes, you see people having sex with their clothes on.
• There are some very gruesome images and scenes.
• Some of the things said will leave you speechless and even aghast.

THEMES:

• “Favor is a breeze that shifts direction all the time.” –Robert Harley (Nicholas Hoult)
• Decadence
• Revenge
• Power and influence

THINGS I LIKED:

• The acting was really great and includes the talented cast of Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, Nicholas Hoult, and especially Olivia Colman. Olivia showed such subtle emotions in her face and actually gained a lot of weight in order to play the plump Queen Anne.  NOTICE:  Olivia COLMAN JUST WON BEST ACTRESS at the Golden Globes!  Well deserved!  She stole every scene she was in.  If you like her in a role as a monarch, check out season 3 of THE CROWN where she plays an older Queen Elizabeth, replacing the fantastic Claire Foy. If you need to catch up on that award-winning series, check out The Crown Season 1 & 2 DVD SET / Season 1-2 DVD SET
• Beautiful set designs and costumes.
• I was intrigued and amused by the titles on the screen placed before each section of the movie.
• The verbal battles between Robert Harley and Lady Sarah were hilarious.
• I loved Queen Anne’s black and white gown.  When I was a little girl, that was exactly what I thought a queen’s gown should look like.
• Blenheim Palace is mentioned in the movie, a gift from Queen Anne.  Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough is actually one of my ancestors, along with Sir Winston Churchill and Princess Diana! When I visited the family palace in England, Blenheim Palace, I planned on telling them I was a descendant in order to get special access to areas off limits to tourists (yeah, right), but instead, I slipped on the gravel at the entrance and ripped open my knee, spending most of my time there with the First Aid staff.  What I did see was beautiful though!
• The dance scene with Rachel Weisz was oddly hilarious.
• I’ve never seen a film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos before. He has an intriguing style, that’s for sure.
• Queen Anne has 17 pet rabbits in the movie, representing the babies she said she lost. Parents who have lost children will understand the comment Queen Anne made when she said, “Each one that dies, a little bit of you goes with them.”    At the end of the movie, the rabbits take on another meaning.
• I’m glad they kept the British spelling of “favourite” for the title, rather than change it for American audiences.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• A note to screenwriters and directors: Don’t make up things just to sell a movie.  For example, I have never read anywhere that Queen Anne was a lesbian.  Her life was interesting enough as it was.
• I HATED the sound effects that sounded like a horn and drum on certain scenes. They went on forever and were so annoying.
• Such excess, waste, and self-indulgence.  I hate seeing that, especially when I work very hard for every penny I earn!
• The ending ends in a thump, instead of a bang. That being said, the images are very powerful.
• For the millionth time, I don’t have to SEE sex scenes to understand that is what’s happening in a scene.
• The trailer makes the movie look like a laugh-out-loud comedy, but it’s not.  The humor is mostly subtle.
• The movie poster doesn’t pop.  Because of that, this movie has flown under the radar for most moviegoers.

FUNNY LINES:
* “Some of my colleagues are immune to my charms.” – Abigail (Emma Stone)

• “Let’s shoot something.” – Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz)
• “You are too mean and uncaring some days.” – Queen Anne (Olivia Colman)

“But some days I’m quite lovely though.  Let’s think on them.” – Lady Sarah

• “As it turns out, I am capable of much pleasantness.” – Abigail

INTERESTING LINES:

• “Love has limits.” – Lady Sarah

“It should not.” – The Queen

• “A man’s dignity is the one thing that holds him back from running amuck.” –  Marlborough (Mark Gatiss)
• “It could be said I have fallen far.” – Abigail

“It could be said I aim to catch you.” – Masham  (Joe Alwyn)

• “I do not know of women and their feelings, but I know they nurse their hurts like wailing newborns.” – Gadolphin  (James Smith)

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