The Favourite (2018)
Powder wigs and debauchery, a funny, accessible entry into Lanthimos' weird style.
Presentation:
This film is very fun. It's beautifully shot on film with some cool fish eye lenses set during British colonization of France. It's pompous, ridiculous and a lotta fun. It takes some design cues with candlelit scenes from Barry Lyndon while stay true to the weird and witty script. The 3 main actresses are a joy on screen and ace their roles. Rachel Weisz and Olivia Coleman particularly hit a homerun, though Emma Stone does her best given her script.
Analysis:
The film reminds me a bit of The Handmaiden. As the title suggests, two people compete for the favor of the powerful Queen of England. Political games ensue in pompous fashion and it's truly quirky fun for the entire movie until the end. Lanthimos apparently doesn't know how to end this film, which would be acceptable for some of his less explicit and obscure films, but this one is rooted in reality. The character shift feels forced and unnatural and was disappointing, cheapening all the great strides made in the rest of the movie.
Conclusion:
Wonderful performances, wonderful sets, this is a quirky film to get your toes wet in Lanthimos films. However, i wouldnt recommend this film as if you want the full Lanthimos experience, you should just jump into some of his weirder projects. Overall a fantastic film undermined by an uninspired ending.
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Powdered wigs enhance the Mozart effect.