The Favourite

Early 18th century England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman, The Lobster; Hyde Park on Hudson) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz, Youth; The Lobster) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper.

When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone, La La Land; Magic in the Moonlight) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at return to her aristocratic roots.

As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfill her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.

Yorgos Lanthimos’s (The Lobster) unconventional and wickedly irreverent period piece received ten Oscar nominations, including best film and best director.

The Favourite has ribaldry and intelligence to burn, a deliciously entertaining period piece that feels liberated by its period, rather than restrained and invigorates like a glass of wine thrown violently in your face.” (John Bleasdale, CineVue)

“[Yorgos Lanthimos’] fabulously entertaining tragicomedy, The Favourite, is a juicy power tangle connecting three women in the royal court of early 18th-century England, played by a divine trio who bounce off one another with obvious relish.” (David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter)

The Favourite is one of those rare films where the energy generated by three talents at the top of their game and the energy generated by their characters swirl and merge in a perfect storm.” (Lee Marshall, Screen International)