Hot Picks
|
|
|
The Favourite
UK / Ireland / USA 2018
produced by Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Yorgos Lanthimos, Lee Magiday, Daniel Battsek (executive), Deborah Davis (executive), Rose Garnett (executive), Ken Kao (executive), Andrew Lowe (executive), Tony McNamara (executive), Josh Rosenbaum (executive) for Element Pictures, Scarlet Films, Channel 4, Waypoint Entertainment/20th Century Fox (Fox Searchlight)
directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
starring Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, Nicholas Hoult, James Smith, Mark Gatiss, Joe Alwyn, Jennifer White, LillyRose Stevens, Edward Aczel, Carolyn Saint-Pé, Jenny Rainsford, Liam Fleming, Anthony Dougall, Denise Mack, Willem Dalby, John Locke, Everal Walsh, Emma Delves, Faye Daveney, Paul Swaine, Timothy Innes, Basil Eidenbenz, James Melville, Declan Wyer, Wilson Radjou-Pujalte, Ben English, Peter Brookes, Gavin Henderson, Djordje Jovanovic, Sam Kemp, Hana McDowell, James Perrin, Luca Wiseman, Callum Lewin, Angela Hicks, Martin Pemberton
written by Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara, music supervisor: Sarah Giles
review by Mike Haberfelner
|
England, the early 1700s: To escape her impoverished life caused by her
gambling father, Abigail (Emma Stone) decides to go to Queen Anne's
(Olivia Colman) court, to see if she can get employ through her cousin,
Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), who just happens to be the Queen's favourite -
and thanks to her honesty and big heart, she's not only employed but soon
rises in rank. But she soon observes Sarah to spin a net of intrigue to
get the Queen to finance a war against France that's already won as her
own husband (Mark Gattis) is the army leader, and also make the Queen more
and more dependant from her, even becoming her lover. This all leaves an
impression on Abigail, too, and she soon learns a good heart won't open
her all the doors, and she starts trying to beat Lady Sarah at her own
game, also by becoming the queen's new favourite, while also siding with
opposition leader Harley (Nicholas Hoult) in trying to sabotage Lady
Sarah's plans of war. Abigail becomes good at this game pretty quick, so
good that Lady Sarah eventually fires her but she gets new employ directly
from the queen - and becomes her new lover. But she might take things too
far when she tries to poison Lady Sarah, but the plan backfires. As Lady
Sarah isn't one to give up without a fight ... What might sound
like a convoluted period drama in my synopsis is actually a surprisingly
light-footed, absurd and funny film that doesn't smother its material
under the weight of historical pretensions but that succeeds to entertain
the audience with a well-written tale of lies and desceit that's full of
strong characters, sharp dialogue, sight gags and outbursts of comedy, all
while keeping up its narrative tension throughout. And of course, a strong
cast, a very dynamic direction, and great sets, props and costumes don't
hurt one bit either. Definitely worth a look!
|
|
|
review © by Mike Haberfelner
|
Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned) |
The links below will take you just there!!!
|
|
|
Thanks for watching !!!
|
|
|
Robots and rats,
demons and potholes, cuddly toys and shopping mall Santas,
love and death and everything in between,
Tales to Chill Your Bones to is all of that.
Tales to Chill Your Bones to -
a collection of short stories and mini-plays ranging from the horrific to the darkly humourous,
from the post-apocalyptic to the weirdly romantic,
tales that will give you a chill and maybe a chuckle,
all thought up by the twisted mind of screenwriter and film reviewer Michael Haberfelner.
Tales to Chill Your Bones to
the new anthology by Michael Haberfelner
Out now from Amazon!!! |
|