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As awards season intensifies this month, one film generating considerable Oscar buzz is The Favourite (2018) from director Yorgos Lanthimos. Dramatic, entertaining, and at times heart-wrenching, The Favourite is an exciting new take on period films, with an impeccable cast and screenplay.
In early 18th century England, the arrival of Abigail Hill (Emma Stone) disrupts the fickle balance of power in Queen Anne’s court and chambers. Once a lady, Abigail’s father gambled away the family wealth, leading her to seek work as a maid from her distant cousin Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz), Duchess of Marlborough and the queen’s closest confidante. Friends with Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) since childhood, Sarah essentially rules the country. Fiercely invested in the businesses of state, her love of country is matched only by her love for Anne, which is challenged as Abigail embeds herself closer and closer to the queen.
The dynamics between the three leads are engaging and intriguing to watch. Dramatic scenes are underscored by dark humour, while other, seemingly humorous moments are imbued with dramatic or sexual tension. The evolution of the relationships between Anne, Sarah, and Abigail is tense, emotive, and not lacking in sapphic angst. The Favourite positions itself among a growing portfolio of critically-acclaimed lesbian films, from the newly-released Colette (2018) and The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018), to last year’s Disobedience (2017), also starring Rachel Weisz, and The Handmaiden (2016).
While the men of the government, dressed up in ostentatious wigs and makeup, argue amongst themselves, it is clear that power really lies with the women. One scene in particular is exemplative of the subtle ways in which women dominate throughout the film. We see a shot of ongoing parliament discussions, with the two opposing political parties shouting wildly at each other in a cacophony of indistinguishable voices. With fists shaking and voices rising, the mood is chaotic, frantic, unchecked – not unlike the imaginings of “emotion” that modern-day misogynists claim women bring to politics. In the doorway, however, stands Sarah, quiet and still, overseeing the discussion play out. Watching. Listening. Planning.
Rachel Weisz’s performance is, in a word, stunning. Prior to The Favourite, I had never seen much of her work (an error I plan to quickly remedy). Watching interviews she has done to promote the film, Weisz comes across as smiling, gentle, friendly – the kind of person a lost child might approach in a supermarket. In essence, the antithesis of her character, Sarah Churchill, who is equal parts charming and brash. Weisz captures the role with such authenticity that her performance evokes sympathy for a character who might otherwise be disliked. Emma Stone and Olivia Colman also give stellar performances, with Colman scooping Best Actress at the Golden Globes for the role and more nominations likely to follow.
