My Favourite

 I adore Olivia Coleman .
Just listening to her giving an interview fills me with pleasure, as her self effacing and always breathless humour is exactly what I find attractive in another human being.
I've treated myself to a midday showing of The Favourite today
So later, I shall share the review
I suspect Mz Coleman will receive a few plaudits .

The Favourite has a " look" all of it's own.
Set against the fashions of an early 18th Century Royal court, director Yorgos Lanthimos has created a sumptuous, predominantly black and white hued version of the power struggles of three very different women.
Lady Marlborough ( Rachel Weisz ) the straight talking power behind the frail and sickly Queen Anne ( Olivia Coleman) is effectively running the Royal Court and indeed the country.
When her cousin Abigail ( Emma Stone) a lady fallen on difficult times arrives asking for a job the dynamic between Queen and her confidant and lover is challenged which leads to a whole series of manipulations and intrigues behind the Royal Closed doors.

Hard stare Stone

This is a powerful and clever film which balances the characters of all three protagonists equally.
Each woman is shown in balance.. sometimes we see each acting as a monster, sometimes with more  sympathy and not one quite outshines the other in the intensity of their performances.
Weisz and Stone dance around each other with wonderfully wicked turns and Coleman truly shines as the complex and childish Monarch...especially in one pivotal scene where we are only privy to a facial close up, which literally breaks your heart, as she shares the heartbreak of a Queen ravaged by bereavement and bad health.

Weisz in full swish

32 comments:

  1. She was utterly charming in her interview with Simon Mayo on the radio 5-live kermode& mayo film review. You can still hear the podcast on their website.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. She comes across as giddy and self-deprecating and yet as an actress she has performed quite brilliantly in a wide range of roles.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I loved this movie. Olivia Coleman does a great Queen Anne and all the interviews I have seen her doing to promote this role just make me like her more.

    Julie q

    ReplyDelete
  5. I had better see this film. I like historicals. I can't remember who Olivia Coleman is - or has been.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its doesnt terribly stick to reality

      Delete
    2. You forget I love Harry Potter...

      Delete
    3. So long as you can jump to history meets the absurd

      Delete
    4. He'll love the cunt references

      Delete
    5. That's it. You've sold it to me.

      Delete
  6. I understand what you mean about her, she comes across as someone you would really like as a friend in all her interviews.

    I think this is a film I'll treat myself to as well, although I don't think it would be Alan's cup of tea :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Barbara Anne3:32 pm

    Off to google Olivia Coleman ...

    Hope you enjoy the movie!

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara Anne3:37 pm

      Ah, yes, I've seen her only in Midsomer Murders but she was memorable in that role.

      Delete
  8. It is getting favourable write ups everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think she is lovely too - I think, as you say, very self-deprecating which is a very attractive trait. I believe (think) she was in The Night Manager too wasn't she. By the way, John, I will be in North Wales as from Tuesday (staying in Conwy) as my brother, sadly, has terminal cancer. I have bought just a one-way ticket for the moment as I don't know what lies ahead but would you fancy a meet up at some point if possible? Let me know. Anna

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous4:05 pm

    Can't wait to see it. Donna@gather

    ReplyDelete
  11. Enjoyed the movie so much. Great performances. Loved the humor.....the DANCE SCENE. I could not stop laughing. No one else in the theater thought it was funny???? A couple next to me got up and walked out???? Ah well, to each his own.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The insertion of modern twists such as the dance. The cooks denhim the modern day textiles..much fun

      Delete
  12. I'm looking forward to seeing this one!

    ReplyDelete
  13. It had some good bits that were funny. I am glad you liked it. Like Linda, I laughed out loud and nobody else did.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The modetn dance thing left me cold but i liked the other twists

      Delete
    2. The dance thing is mad, makes you stop in your tracks for a moment until you see it is preposterously funny.

      Delete
  14. Love Olivia Coleman, unfortunately don't get to hear her in interviews over here. I should probably write to someone and get her sent on a promo tour.

    ReplyDelete
  15. An excellent review. You Brits get all the great movies. I hope this one shows up here!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Olivia Coleman is brilliant. I'd watch her read from the phone book and find it riveting.

    ReplyDelete
  17. We really loved it; all three leads were stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am going with a friend to the movies this week to see either The Favorite or Mary, Queen of Scots. We are leaning more to The Favorite as it looks like no one loses their head in that one.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I just saw this; I thought it rather sad. At the end everyone 'losses'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes agreed....but what a glorious romp before

      Delete
  20. Olivia Coleman just won the award for best actress at the Golden Glove awards.

    ReplyDelete

I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes