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Whether they’re getting married, having babies, or just wearing a new outfit, the British royal family is constantly making headlines. But the royals have long been surrounded by drama and controversy—and The Favourite offers a glimpse of some wild royal exploits dating back to three centuries ago.
The Favourite takes place in England in the early 18th century, as war rages on with the French. Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) may be on the throne, but it’s Lady Sarah Marlborough (Rachel Weisz) who rules the country as the Queen’s health fails. When Lady Sarah’s cousin, Abigail (Emma Stone), arrives to beg for a job, Lady Sarah decides to take the younger woman under her wing, eventually sending her to care for the Queen in her place. But Abigail soon realizes how much power comes with being the Queen’s favorite—and she becomes determined to fill the role.
On the surface, The Favourite may look like just another drop in the flood of period dramas that are typically released during award season. There are men in big powdered wigs and women in wide, intricately detailed gowns. There are political debates and formal balls. But it doesn’t take long to realize that there’s so much more beneath the surface. The Favourite revels in the ridiculous—in the absurdities of the characters and their actions. The men seem pompous and silly in their wigs and makeup, whether they’re arguing about the war and the taxes or betting on duck races. And the women are absolutely ruthless in their backstabbing and manipulation.
The three main characters here are devious and cunning in their own ways. Lady Sarah is harsh and direct, ruling with an iron fist. She storms into rooms, and she enjoys shooting things. Abigail takes a completely different approach, manipulating through a softer, sweeter disposition that covers her steadily growing aggression. Even the Queen, despite her illness and seemingly weak nature, knows how to play a game or two of her own. And the three women make for a shocking, scandalous, and often delightfully sinister trio.
The film’s greatest flaw, then, is its conclusion. With all of this backstabbing and manipulation, it seems that the story should build up to an explosive conclusion—but, instead, it fizzles into a fitting but rather dreary end.
Part costume drama, part Mean Girls—and full of royal speculation and scandal—The Favourite offers a playful and irreverent twist on the typical award season biography. And it might make you even more intrigued by what may or may not be going on behind the scenes with the royal family.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
