Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Olivia Colman | ... | Queen Anne | |
Rachel Weisz | ... | Lady Sarah | |
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Emma Delves | ... | Queen's Maid |
Faye Daveney | ... | Sarah's Maid | |
Emma Stone | ... | Abigail | |
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Paul Swaine | ... | Wanking Man |
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Jennifer White | ... | Mrs Meg |
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Lilly-Rose Stevens | ... | Sally |
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Denise Mack | ... | Kitchen Servant |
James Smith | ... | Godolphin | |
Mark Gatiss | ... | Lord Marlborough | |
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Horatio | ... | Fastest Duck in the City |
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Willem Dalby | ... | Central Tory Booker |
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Edward Aczel | ... | Earl of Stratford |
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Carolyn Saint-Pé | ... | Madam Tournee |
Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne's ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a 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. Written by Fox Searchlight Pictures
I was able to see this movie about 4 months before its theatrical release in Switzerland at the first day of the Zurich Film Festival 2018.
For preparation of yesterdays screening I recently watched two of Yorgos Lanthimos' previous films: "The Lobster" and "The Killing Of A Sacred Deer". Both movies are very special in their own way so I didn't expect from "The Favourite" to be a normal 18th-whatever-century movie. Usually I'm not a big fan of historical/costume movies like this.
But what about "The Favourite"?
I have to admit that I was unaware of my feelings for the movie shortly after the end. Yeah it was "good", but was there more than that? A day later I'm still not 100% sure because I still think about it but I noticed that hour after hour I like this movie more. The story is really great and there are a lot of wicked but also hilarious scenes.
The three main actresses are definitely the highlight of the movie: Rachel Weisz is amazing and of course, Olivia Colman is outstanding. I wouldn't complain if she gets nominated for an Oscar next year, but can we talk about Emma Stone? Yes, I'm a fan, but I really think her performance is the best in the whole movie, maybe it's because she also plays the most interesting character.
I definitely have to see "The Favourite" again when it comes to the cinema sometime in January 2019 to make my final verdict. Until then I give 8 out of 10 and hopefully more next time.