England is at war with France. Queen Anne (Olivia Colman), fragile and forever mourning the loss of her children, falsely sits on the throne while Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), her closest confidant and sexual interest, runs the nation in her stead.
Within Kingston Palace, social secrecies travel through the grand wood panelled corridors. Disclosed ballrooms and underground servants’ quarters reveal the hidden truths of the crown. At the center of it all rests Abigail Masham (Emma Stone), glorifying in the triumph of her rise to power.
The audience sympathizes with the inceptive nature of Abigail’s introduction to palace. She begins as a Lady, stripped of her entitlements, forced to appear innocent and naive as she slowly gains the trust of Lady Sarah and Queen Anne.
However, Abigail is quick to make enemies with a highly competitive Lady Sarah. They exchange confrontations and make the necessary political alliances to secure their spot in the Queen’s bed and in her eggshell heart.
‘The Favourite’ is as wildly entertaining as any practical period piece could reach. Not only is the satirical and cynical comedy of the royals captured by the director, Yorgos Lanthimos, but it delivers serious themes of anxieties pertaining to womanhood.
I would recommend this film to anyone who seeks enjoyment out of seeing the reality of old government and its connection to the social issues of today.
