Movie Breakdown: The Favourite

Pre-Screening Stance:

The Favourite looks chock-full of catty behavior, and who doesn’t want a good helping of that?  Also, let’s face it, you’re probably dead inside if you’re not at least a little excited to watch something that features Emma Stone VS Rachel Weisz.

Post-Screening Ramble:

The Favourite is essentially a sharper, meaner, funnier and far more entertaining version of Downton Abbey.  At the center of the film is Queen Anne (Olivia Coleman), a whiny twist of a woman with a severe case of gout, and her right hand lady, Sarah (Rachel Weisz).  Their relationship is complicated on a personal level, but in regards to England, it’s pretty straight forward – Sarah shields the Queen from difficult state matters and she speaks for her when she’s ill, which is often.  Undoubtedly, it’s a quirky setup, but it works.  Or at least it does until Sarah’s cousin, Abigail (Emma Stone), shows up.  The “innocent” young woman hits the ground scheming and it isn’t long before she’s in the good graces of Queen Anne and in a full-on battle of wits with Sarah.  Naturally, throughout all of this the drama soars, but it’s so damn clever and funny that the film ends up being a delectable ride.  Seriously, I think I giggled like a wicked school child more than I probably should have watching the three very different women attempt to vex one another.  And yeah, the film kind of haphazardly skids to a conclusion, but honestly, it’s possible that it seemed that way just because I wasn’t really ready for the fun to end.

Here’s what you should do, grab a couple bottles of wine, sneak them into a theater, and then just get sloshed watching one of the year’s best dramedies.  Just be sure that you have a ride home.

One Last Thought:

Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman shine so bright in The Favourite that almost no one else in it matters, but I do want to give a shout out to Nicholas Hoult.  His Harley is such a weirdo.