The Favourite * * * *

Kiss kiss, bang bang, grovel grovel.  Whatever it takes.

         There's something unusual about this film.  Actually there is something unusual about every Yorgas Lanthimos film - which is why I like him.  But this is unusual in a different way; in that it's not like a Yorgas Lanthimos film, which is rather ironic.
           Anyone who has seen The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer would be aware of the kind of abusurdist parallel universe Lanthimos plunges us into.  A world where things are the same, but not quite the same.
          But this time, rather than creating a fractured world similar to our own, he has used history to take us to another time and place.  The madness of where he takes us to is easier to accept as it has already been recreated in many other films.  It's not shocking or surprising to once again see the eccentricities and indulgences of the Royal Court with thick white make-up, powdered wigs, grand costumes, exhausted domestic staff, blood sport, an insane Monarch, scheming courtiers and wasteful indulgences. 
           Featuring fabulous locations and costumes it's a magnificent looking film. The dialogue is both cutting and witty - and rather dirty at times.
          The Favourite is loosely based upon Queen Anne and two women who were vying for her favour and attention. It's an historical fact that a Whig propagandist wrote a satirical poem inferring that Queen Anne was a lesbian and The Favourite portrays Anne as such.  At this stage her husband is already dead.  Sarah Churchill who was the wife of The Duke of Marlborough was her closest "friend" and enjoyed many privileges. 
          Then Abigail, a lady who has fallen from grace, comes on to the scene.  She might be working as a scullery maid but she is young and pretty and rather adept at flirting. She soon finds a way into the Queens life and into the Queens bed. Thus a competition for the Queens attention commences.  In the meantime we are given insight into parliament of the day and the comically inappropriate intercession from The Queen.
         Lanthimos did not write the script for this one. It was first written several years ago and then worked over again recently by another screen writer.  Fortunately mutual respect has resulted in a positive outcome. It's not quite as challenging (shocking?) as some of his other films but the wonderful Lanthimos touch is still there.  For instance, it's the first time I have seen a 17th Century court dance with hints of Saturday Night Fever.