THE FAVOURITE
[Devin Dayley]
Year Released: 2018
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Stars:
Olivia Coleman
Emma Stone
Rachel Weisz
General Summary:
The film takes place in the 18th century (1700s). Queen Anne (Olivia Coleman) rules England with the help of her servant Sarah (Rachel Weisz). A new servant, Abigail (Emma Stone), hired by Sarah, quickly wins the queens affections. The two servants are forced to outwit and outlast each other to become Queen Anne’s favorite servant.
Cinematography:
There is use of fisheye-lens filming throughout the film and long takes of people walking which help give the impression that the palace in which they are walking is very large. The use of color in this film is astounding. The costumes are usually dark colored which contrast well with the whiteness of the aristocrats skin. The scenes filmed outside of the palace are very bright which contrasts the darkness and dullness of the palace. There is also many many uses of low-angle camera shots. This gives the viewers the feeling that the people portrayed in the film are “better” than them. There are also multiple shots and scenes that are metaphors for what’s happening in the movie e.g. when Abigail shoots a bird and blood spatters onto Sarah’s face.
Score/Soundtrack:
The score is the epitome of music you should hear in a period piece such as this. It has the old-time ring to it while still being refreshing and new. It also creates the mood that this film is trying to get across.
Production design/Sets:
The production design is very keeping to the time period. The palace would not have been very masterfully built so you would hear the steps of people walking very clearly. There was no electricity at that time so nearly all light comes from fire and/or the sun.
Age recommendations:
To be politically correct, I would say don’t have anyone under 17 watch this, but I would honestly say to allow people who are 15 and older watch this film. All nudity is handled tastefully. The comical nature of this film may be lost by people under 15.
Cast:
The cast, every single person, in this film is fantastic. Although there isn’t a lot of screen time had by people other than the three leads, the time people do have on screen is impactful. Nicholas Hoult, who I know to be Hank Mccoy from the X-men franchise, was a character in this and he is so good it is almost unrecognizable.
Score /10:
When I first saw this movie, I would have rated it a 6.75/10, but after internalizing this film and seeing it again, I would rate it a 9.7/10.
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