The Favourite

Yorgos Lathimos' latest film is a bit of a departure from his recent pair, "The Lobster" and "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" - both were very styalised films with a strong sense of deadpan in exploring their chosen genre, whether it was sci-fi-romantic-comedy in "The Lobster" or modern-day-greek-tragedy with "Sacred Deer". The deadpan tone feels a little downplayed in this one, whether it's because the general trappings of an English period drama concentrating on the monarchy already have their own styalisations to them, or because Lathimos didn't write this one. But it's still a fascinating look at powerplays in the court of Queen Anne during the early years of the 18th century, as the Queen's relationship with her trusted advisor, the Duchesss of Marlborogh, is disrupted by the arrival of one of Marlborogh's distent cousins, Abigail Hill. All three actresses have a wealth of material to play, whether it's Olivia Colman's slightly bewhildered Queen, Rachael Weitz's domineering Marlborogh, or Emma Stone's striving-for-survival Abigail. It's a beautifully designed film, too, full of late-restoration era wigs and grand dresses, while letting everybody also get down-and-dirty as the power-plays get more serious. The script is blooming with wit, and there's a formal brutality that Lathimos gets right - this is determinedly unsentimental and prepared to let the main character's ruthlessness show. Absolutely a film worth catching.