The Favourite

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: November 23, 2018

7.7	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 521 Ratings

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KeithDowDec 4, 2018

No other period pieces come to mind when trying to find a comparison for 'The Favourite,' and even if there were, none would hold a candle to this 18th century tale of social scheming and palace politics.

Director Yorgos Lanthimos previouslyNo other period pieces come to mind when trying to find a comparison for 'The Favourite,' and even if there were, none would hold a candle to this 18th century tale of social scheming and palace politics.

Director Yorgos Lanthimos previously caught the attention (and admiration) of art house audiences with 2015's 'The Lobster,' followed by last year's 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer.' However this film is different, and it will justifiably earn Lanthimos a spot at the table reserved for Hollywood's elite directors.

The cast is outright brilliant. Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, and Nicholas Hoult each deserve their own paragraph of praise. However, it is Colman who ultimately takes the cake for her performance (pun intended!). She looks to be the early front-runner for the Academy Award for Best Actress--a statement that is further bolstered by the fact that she just won that award category at the BAFTAs.

Expect her official nomination come January ... along with a slew of other nominations covering just about every Oscar category.… Expand

5 of 12 users found this helpful57

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The3AcademySinsDec 2, 2018

I have always admired the films of Yorgos Lanthimos. While The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer are not for everyone, The Favourite is hands down his most accessible film, and one of the best films I have seen in 2018. Lanthimos hasI have always admired the films of Yorgos Lanthimos. While The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer are not for everyone, The Favourite is hands down his most accessible film, and one of the best films I have seen in 2018. Lanthimos has finally nailed his aesthetic, and the script, performances, directing, and cinematography come together to create a modern masterpiece on the nature of love and power.

Visually, The Favourite is stunning to look at. Shot only under natural light, the period set and costumes come alive with a complexity and detail not often found outside of paintings. Lanthimos masterfully uses perspective to inform the audience on the emotions and goals of the characters.

Speaking of the characters, the acting is incredibly funny and realistic. All of the characters are complex and well-developed. Rachel Weisz plays what might be her most juicy part to date, and Emma Stone steps up her acting game as well. Olivia Colman stole the show for me as an incredibly vulnerable queen who acts like a spoiled child, but truly just wants to find love. The supporting performance by Nicholas Hoult stands out, and he is devilishly funny and alive.

The script by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara is all at once a sweeping epic and an intimate character study. The story the tell blends imperceptibly with Lanthimos's directorial style. The script has a alot to say, and leaves you with an ending that will be talked about by audiences everywhere. If you see one movie in 2018, make it The Favourite.… Expand

4 of 12 users found this helpful48

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Brent_MarchantDec 1, 2018

A wickedly dark, smug period piece comedy that's sure to leave viewers routinely agasp at its outrageous humor, which marvelously mixes understatement with in-your-face bawdiness. The trio of protagonists brilliantly portrayed by OliviaA wickedly dark, smug period piece comedy that's sure to leave viewers routinely agasp at its outrageous humor, which marvelously mixes understatement with in-your-face bawdiness. The trio of protagonists brilliantly portrayed by Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz never disappoint, with each at the top of their game. The film's smartly written script is crisp and snappy throughout, even if it takes liberties with history and occasionally falls back on director Yorgos Lanthimos's signature penchant for needless ambiguity. Not everyone will go for this one, but if you can imagine a mix of the catiest moments from "Dynasty" dressed up in 18th Century trappings, you've got an idea what "The Favourite" is all about.… Expand

5 of 12 users found this helpful57

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FatalBrushDec 1, 2018

This movie profits from great actors and great performances. However, at the ZFF this movie was initially portrayed as a dark comedy but it wasn't my cup of tea and neither did the story draw me in. I was left a bit unsatisfied to be honest.

10 of 18 users found this helpful108

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Kate22Nov 25, 2018

It was okay-bit overrated and extremely weird! Best part of the film was Rachel Weisz's performance (who's in it the most!). She should definitely be considered over Colman (who overplays Queen Anne) The cinematography is odd. Also had toIt was okay-bit overrated and extremely weird! Best part of the film was Rachel Weisz's performance (who's in it the most!). She should definitely be considered over Colman (who overplays Queen Anne) The cinematography is odd. Also had to question some of the films 'inaccuracies.' Critics have in the past, made issues with other films being historically inaccurate, well it's definitely a problem in ''The Favourite.''… Expand

9 of 31 users found this helpful922

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cwong46Nov 23, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I thought that this was a wonderful, witty film. The film's accurate depiction of power-hungry people and their tactics was difficult to swallow despite the humor, but it ended up proving to be a wealth of information for me in regards to the nature human treachery. It was beautiful to see how the film's ending ensued--with Emma Stone's character stuck in the degrading task of rubbing the Queen's legs in knelt position--as it demonstrated to me the futility of pursuing power, and how power could entrance even powerful people into feeling perpetually worthless and weak (like a rabbit) in relation to others. Disregarding the subject of power, I also admired the film's ending for its inevitability and natural conclusion. The psychological punishment that resulted from an obsession of power was that one in turn would always feel powerless, no matter what transient, self-therapeutic means one could instantiate against this feeling, including cruelty towards others, self-indulgence, or the attainment of higher social status. Emma Stone did a wonderful job portraying this character, whose troubled background, although tragic and in part responsible for her feelings of worthlessness, was not the primary determinant of her corruption. This film showed that the personal choices of the protagonist, including treating love as a means to an end rather than an end in itself, changing her allegiance in the name of personal "safety," and involving herself in the framing of both political propositions and people, ruined her grace and integrity. Overall, this film was insightful in many ways, and I'd love to see this being nominated for the awards it deserves.… Expand

8 of 18 users found this helpful810

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LamontRaymondNov 23, 2018

Easily one of the best films of 2018. The three leads are incredibly good, with Rachel Weisz leading the way. I've always loved Olivia Colman, and she's fantastic as the insecure, gluttonous Queen Anne. Emma Stone is really good, but theEasily one of the best films of 2018. The three leads are incredibly good, with Rachel Weisz leading the way. I've always loved Olivia Colman, and she's fantastic as the insecure, gluttonous Queen Anne. Emma Stone is really good, but the movie takes a bit of a turn (along with her performance) about 2/3 of the way through. I have to mention the director and the DP - the film is shot absolutely beautifully, and the score is innovative / perfectly pitched. A word of caution: if you're easily offended, you might want to steer clear. It's not a movie of its time. But it is uproariously funny at times - great writing.… Expand

21 of 38 users found this helpful2117

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