The Favourite – Starring Rachel Weisz, Olivia Colman and Emma Stone Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. A frail Queen Anne (Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah Churchill (Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper.

When a new servant Abigail Masham (Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots. As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.

This entertaining, garish and impeccably acted drama is a complex and mind-boggling direction by Yorgos Lanthimos into the pathetic necessities of political power. An intoxicating thrill ride of which much has been written and almost as has many awards endowed upon it (145 wins and 270 nominations to date!) who am I to say anything less… so I won’t.

Verdict: Watch this film! ****

This film will be shown at The Harbour Club, Portscatho on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th May (club refurbishments allowing)