The Favourite [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2018]

In his amazingly creative recent films (“Dogtooth", “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”, and, most of all, "The Lobster”), Greek iconoclast Yorgos Lanthimos has shown himself to be the successor to Stanley Kubrick, most of all by his long tracking shots and perfectly composed, pristine images. In that sense, “The Favourite” is his “Barry Lyndon", but skewed as if watching demented goings-on in a fishbowl, and outright uninhibited in its dark examination of the deadly power struggle around manipulating Queen Anne in 18th Century England. If less perfect than Kubrick’s rightly praised film, this is more realistic (in its dark dinginess -- even a room with many candles looks nothing like Kubrick's postcard-pretty posturing), and certainly more contemporary. It is also more accessible than Lanthimos’s usual, and more ‘commercially' entertaining (it is a funny dark comedy), while it still is unabashedly pure Lanthimos: profane, disturbing and sometimes offensive. Most distinctive of all however is the cast, three grand dames acting their hearts out: Rachel Weisz as Lady Sarah, close friend (and sometime lover) of the Queen who governs the country when the Queen can’t manage it; Emma Stone as the new servant Abigail whose appearance to the Royal Court begins the film; but most of all is the brilliant Olivia Colman as the somewhat mentally-confused Queen Anne escaping her duties by charming her pet rabbits, arguably the most memorable female performance of the year. To see these three artists, at each others’ throats as well as breasts, makes this film an incredibly delicious drama, sort of like Masterpiece Theater invaded by salacious figures from Beardsley’s Victorian erotica. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it is the very best tea Britain has offered the movie screens in many a year.

A pretty good period piece, Well cast and well acted.

The Favourite is probably not a movie for everyone, but I would recommend people check it out. It’s not like most period-piece films, which is good because I’m not typically a fan of the genre. It is strange, dark, and funny. If you have seen, and enjoyed, Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon then I think this would make a nice companion piece to it. Wish it was available on 4k, but the blu-ray version is all that is available, and I doubt that will change anytime soon. Have not watched the blu-ray yet, but shipping was quick and everything was in good condition. Included slipcover.

Incredible time period drama. Like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

In my personal opinion, this is tied with Roma for Best Picture of 2018. So I’ve been wanting to get the Blu-Ray for some time. Sadly, it came without slipcover. It’s okay, because I went to my local store and they gave me one. The code worked and the disc too. I do wish it had more extras, since this is a very interesting and well shot movie. Other than those two details I had a really good experience.

I did not think I would like this movie from watching the trailers--a reel of bad jokes and falling into mud. That disappointed me as I think the period of Queen Anne is largely ignored. However, the movie turned into a psychological look at Anne and her relationship with her favorites and how people will sometimes use love to gain their own selfish needs.

The film itself is absolutely phenomenal. It boast excellent performances from all three leading ladies. The cinematography is masterful. The writing hilarious, direction excellent. This Blu-ray has excellent picture and sound quality. The only thing keeping the rating down is its lack of special features. Some deleted scenes, an EPK and a trailer are included. Would have been nice to have a cast or director commentary.

This movie is a great telling of a power struggle laced with karma. I highly recommend watching this movie to form your own opinions, though. Reviews shouldn't dictate your viewing decisions.