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The Favourite (film)

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The Favourite (film)
NameThe Favourite
DirectorYorgos Lanthimos
ProducerCeci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday, Yorgos Lanthimos
WriterDeborah Davis, Tony McNamara
StarringOlivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, James Smith, Mark Gatiss
MusicJohnnie Burn
CinematographyRobbie Ryan
EditingYorgos Mavropsaridis
StudioFilm4 Productions, Element Pictures, Waypoint Entertainment, Scarlet Films
DistributorFox Searchlight Pictures
Released2018, 8, 30, Venice Film Festival, 2018, 11, 23, United States, 2019, 1, 1, United Kingdom
Runtime119 minutes
Country* Ireland * United Kingdom * United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million
Gross$95.9 million

The Favourite (film). *The Favourite* is a 2018 period black comedy film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. Set in early 18th-century Great Britain, the film follows the ailing Queen Anne and the intense rivalry between her close confidante, Sarah Churchill, and a new servant, Abigail Hill, for the position of the monarch's favourite. The film premiered at the 75th Venice International Film Festival and was a major critical and commercial success, noted for its sharp screenplay, distinctive visual style, and powerhouse performances from its central trio of actors.

Plot

In 1708, Queen Anne occupies the throne but is in poor health and prone to volatile moods, leaving much of the affairs of state to her close friend and secret lover, Lady Sarah. Sarah aggressively advocates for continued war with France to the chagrin of the opposition Robert Harley. Sarah's impoverished cousin, Abigail, arrives at court seeking employment and uses her cunning to endear herself to the Queen, beginning a vicious battle of manipulation and seduction between the two women for power and influence. As Abigail's schemes succeed, Sarah is gradually exiled from court, culminating in Abigail securing her own position through marriage to Samuel Masham and a final, ambiguous moment of control over the ailing monarch.

Cast

* Olivia Colman as Queen Anne * Emma Stone as Abigail Hill * Rachel Weisz as Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough * Nicholas Hoult as Robert Harley * Joe Alwyn as Samuel Masham * James Smith as Godolphin * Mark Gatiss as John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough

Production

The screenplay by Deborah Davis was in development for over two decades before Yorgos Lanthimos became attached to direct. Lanthimos collaborated with writer Tony McNamara on rewrites. Principal photography began in March 2017 at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, with additional shooting at Hampton Court Palace and other historic locations. Cinematographer Robbie Ryan utilized natural lighting and wide-angle lenses, often employing a fisheye lens to create a distinctive, distorted perspective. The production design by Fiona Crombie and costume design by Sandy Powell deliberately eschewed strict historical accuracy to enhance the film's modern, anarchic tone.

Release

*The Favourite* had its world premiere as the opening night film of the 75th Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2018. It was subsequently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. Fox Searchlight Pictures handled distribution, releasing the film in the United States on November 23, 2018, and in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2019.

Reception

The film was met with widespread critical acclaim. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a 93% approval rating, with praise directed at its screenplay, direction, and performances, particularly Olivia Colman's portrayal of Queen Anne. Critics from The New York Times, The Guardian, and Variety highlighted its subversive take on the period drama genre and its darkly comedic exploration of power dynamics. It was a major box office success, grossing over $95 million worldwide against a $15 million budget.

Accolades

The film received numerous accolades, earning ten nominations at the 91st Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Olivia Colman won the Academy Award for Best Actress, while the film also won the Academy Award for Best Production Design. At the 72nd British Academy Film Awards, it won seven BAFTA Awards, including Outstanding British Film and Best Actress for Colman. It also won the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and garnered multiple Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award nominations.

Category:2018 films Category:British historical comedy-drama films Category:Fox Searchlight Pictures films