"The Favourite" Movie Review

The Favourite is my first Yorgos Lanthimos film. I went in really wanting to enjoy it, but it’s an experience that is just as punishing and it is rewarding for viewers, essentially crowning itself Queen of your attention span.

There are many components of The Favourite worthy of praise, starting with the stellar performances from the film’s leads, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone as feuding cousins vying for the queen’s favor, and Olivia Colman as Queen Anne. Also, the detailed sets and costumes keep the film’s setting lavishly immersive, while witty, sometimes unsavory, dialog keeps the film entertaining.

But for every thing I admired about the film, there’s something I despised. Like the cinematography, which is overstuffed with upward angles, GoPro-like fisheye shots, and a quick-pan-to-slow-dolly-forward effect used so often, it’s as if an amateur filmmaker couldn’t stop showing off their latest camera trick.

Then, the conclusion lingers long on a shot that seems to communicate something serious and dreadful. However, I’ve spent even longer lingering on what exactly I was suppose to take away from it.

Those who revere Lanthimos may praise this dark and eccentric entry to his repertoire. As for me…lets just say it’s not my favorite.

Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 0 | Story and Message - 1 | Entertainment Value - 1 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 2 | Reviewer's Preference - 1 | What does this mean?