The Favourite

"The Favourite" is a bizarre film which succeeds in spell binding us. Clearly a critique of hypocrisy and excess, its themes are universal even if here the setting is an 18th century English royal court. Power, control and scheming are all on display as three women in position of power exercise control over largely hapless men who come off more as buffoons than gentlemen of the court.

If you are not into esoteric art films with flourishes almost of surrealism, it may not be for you but then the lush cinematography and stellar performances of Rachel Weiss, Emma Stone and especially Olivia Colman as a disturbed and sickly Queen might just do the trick.

Predictable Hollywood fare this is not which is a definite notch in its favor.