Title: The Favorite
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Writers: Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara
Stars: Olivia Colman (Queen Anne), Emma Stone (Queen’s Maid), and Rachel Weisz (Lady Sarah)

SHOW RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★
Story: ★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Costumes: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★ (3.5)

Storyline:
Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill-health and mercurial temper. When a new servant Abigail (Emma 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 fulfill her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way. Written by Fox Searchlight Pictures

My 2 Cents:
I really don’t even know what to say… I read all the amazing reviews and was so excited when the DVD from SAG showed up for my pre-award screening. Then, I watched the film and wondered, what am I missing?

I will admit that the acting was wonderful. If it weren’t for Emma Stone, who played her role beautifully, I probably wouldn’t have made it to the end credits. She was wonderful, with what she was given. Olivia Colman is a strong actress as is Rachel Weisz, but what they had to work with wasn’t worth their talent.

The costumes and even the accuracy of the set was very well done.

The script was bizarre… weird… and poorly written and seemed to have no real plot. The directing was artistic in a pretentious way, rather than a thought-provoking way.

The soundtrack drowned out the dialogue so badly that I’m sure I missed major aspects of the plot (if there was a plot). It annoyed me to the point where I found myself distracted.

Honestly, I feel like I waisted time that I will never be able to get back.

You can watch the official trailer here: