Watch
The Favourite

The Favourite

2018
Comedy, Drama
1h 59m
A bawdy, acerbic tale of royal intrigue, passion, envy and betrayal in the court of Queen Anne in early 18th century England. (imdb)
Your probable score
?

The Favourite

2018
Comedy, Drama
1h 59m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 65.76% from 2983 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(2983)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 15 Jan 2019
80
88th
I'm sitting there stomping my feet and clapping my hands like an idiot for six minutes of the opening before someone tells me this is a different Queen movie. Still rocked me.
Rated 27 Dec 2018
4
70th
Leave it to Lanthimos to remind us all that the subjects of all our favorite hagiographic historical dramas were every bit the crude and conniving assholes their modern-day counterparts are. I've always yearned for more period pieces that disposed with the stuffy drawing room atmosphere of a BBC production, so this was right up my alley.
Rated 14 Jan 2019
85
88th
Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz were marvelous in this fun, provocative and exaggerated look at the extravagant 18th-century royal court. The country is being run by an unstable, impaired queen, portrayed well by Olivia Colman. She is manipulated by affections from her personal staff. Scandalous and outrageous but always engaging and entertaining. Excellent costumes and settings. Very good music and production quality. Well worth watching.
Rated 14 May 2019
95
84th
I must be a sucker for 18-century historical dramas with big, pretty dresses and giant man powdered wigs. There's just something about movies in this time setting that almost always appeals to me. Probably my favorite Lanthimos movie yet. The leads are really freakin solid, the directing and score and great, and the writing and drama are hard to resist. With great production and costume design, this really does take you back in time and it feels like you're actually there. Fantastic movie.
Rated 25 Dec 2018
85
94th
not so much a comedy as much as a drama that disdains its period conventions. an anti-chamber drama, if you will. it's a brilliant case study in what happens when the world is run on the whims of grown children. all three leads give superb performances, Colman most of all. never has the ugliness of royalty been so well reflected, both in characterization and physicality, right down to the environments. it's a world meticulously brought to life, and ours is one that hasn't strayed so far from it.
Rated 10 Jan 2019
86
94th
A delightfully mean period comedy about power struggles at the royal court. All three leading ladies (and also Nicholas Hoult) are perfectly cast, and Lanthimos' unique style of filming gives the movie a very particular look.
Rated 03 Feb 2020
85
86th
Man, if I was gallivanting around in the 17th century they would’ve needed people to carry my wig about and I’d leave a fine dusting of talc on everything within a three foot radius. I’ll forgive the fish eye shots for the Emma Stones.
Rated 08 Oct 2018
75
76th
My legs are hurting, too, Emma.
Rated 11 Jan 2019
59
86th
The lesbian answer to Call Me by Your Name: Rub Me by My Leg.
Rated 30 Dec 2018
6
53rd
Equaling the great performances is the lighting and Kubrick-esque shots. Pretty apparent how good Olman, Weisz and Stone are but I think Hoult is the most underrated, sold me to a tea. It is just build up though. You've dined your date, got her home and then they put on a sleep mask going to sleep. Lagged a bit too long without the fireworks.
Rated 21 Dec 2018
6
95th
Want to talk about how this film perfectly portrays how we use relationships(platonic and sexual), power, etc. to get what what we want and how truly isolating and lonely that is. Want to talk about how funny it is, with three of the best performances. want to talk how good the film looks(the hallways! The wide shots outside hearkening back to some Russian greats like Sokurov!) but mostly want to talk about how after getting teased all movie we finally got a glimpse of Emma Stone's Warlocks.
Rated 12 Dec 2018
80
86th
18th century MEAN GIRLS (and I'm here for it)
Rated 26 Dec 2018
90
92nd
Until this film, I thought Emma Stone was okay. She's talented, and I think she's been good in a lot of things, but I felt she had a great performance in this. All three of Stone, Colman, and Weisz deserve nominations.
Rated 11 Jan 2019
90
94th
By turns funny, tragic and disturbing. Above all though, three incredible central performances by Colman, Weisz and Stone. Superb.
Rated 30 Jan 2019
7
63rd
Despite great turns from the three leads, it initially comes off feeling a little long, cold, and empty (though the style is fabulous-see the elaborate costumes and sets contrasted with the curt, crass dialogue; the marvelous cinematography and editing-love those fish-eye shots and slow cross-fades). Upon further rumination though the chilling arc for Stone's Abigail comes into focus, as does the intriguing commentary on the volatile mix of political power games with romance and relationships.
Rated 05 Feb 2019
100
90th
Thank god there's a worthy best picture nominee, I was worried for a minute. The Favourite is an exceptional film. The best costume drama since Kubrick's Barry Lyndon, Lanthimos hits it out of the park with possibly his best film to date.
Rated 23 Feb 2019
82
91st
"Did you just look at me? Did you? Look at me! Look at me! How dare you? Close your eyes!" Olivia Colman... Respect.
Rated 25 Nov 2018
79
86th
Hilarious, surprising, and amazingly made. A bit long but why not when you have these three actresses and this director?
Rated 26 Nov 2018
82
82nd
Not my favourite Yorgos movie. But all of the little quirks are there. Haven't enjoyed Emma Stone this much in a long time.
Rated 15 Dec 2018
88
97th
A stark portrayal of the most dangerous type of bedroom politics.
Rated 24 Dec 2018
20
12th
This is a comedy in the same way that I am Beyoncé (Note: I am not Beyoncé). After "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" was the worst movie I've ever seen, I swore off his films entirely. Unfortunately, the Golden Globes named this one of the 5 best comedies of the year. Being an awards nut I felt compelled to see it and get it over with. Luckily it wasn't as bad as "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" but was still quite terrible. Someone somewhere might think royal court ladies cursing is funny I guess.
Rated 26 Dec 2018
83
77th
This entire film is just a perfect balancing act between so many different moods (haunting, satirical, serious, self-aware, weird, suspenseful) that works so well it leaves a unique mark in your memory. The three main characters are all so deep and interesting and well-acted and the central story tackles some complex themes around power, wealth, relationships and gender. It's a shame that just a few too many off-kilter moments, as well as a confusing opening, kept me from absolutely loving it.
Rated 01 Jan 2019
90
92nd
I'm quite in love with how Lanthimos has transitioned away from that austere European art house dreck and fully embraced wideshot and sweeping camerashots envoking much less Kubrick (as people keep saying) and more Ophuls or Sokurov for a contemporary thing (as if comparisons need to be made within a review). Weisz had the best lines especially her last one.
Rated 01 Jan 2019
50
33rd
Holy crap I didn't expect to dislike The Favourite this much. I didn't realise it was supposed to be funny. I mean, I'm really trying hard to think if I found any jokes funny at all. All the weird, sex, gross stuff irritated me. People saying the "F" and "C" words constantly, the soundtrack being irritating in parts, and not liking any of the characters for the entire movie. It's nicely shot, the presentation and costumes are great, and the acting is top notch, but I didn't enjoy it that much.
Rated 04 Jan 2019
93
90th
One of the best films of the year. I loved its powerhouse performances and the sharp writing and direction that makes this Lanthimos's most accessible film yet. I could watch this again and again for just Olivia Colman.
Rated 04 Jan 2019
86
83rd
Yorgos Lanthimos is the Kubrick of our time. He is just so precise and has so much fun with it. If he would come from a country with a richer movie tradition he would be considered a star. But who cares? TF is another wonderful art installation about communication and humanity itself without being self-serious or banal. Also, if you wanna throw Oscars at Emma Stone (and not Olivia Colman), do it for this one. I had a blast!
Rated 06 Jan 2019
73
71st
A refreshingly anachronistic historical drama with breath-taking cinematography and sound design as well as Lanthimos' standard layer of deadpan humor.
Rated 06 Jan 2019
85
92nd
"Right, Lanthimos, now don't forget to treat this historical drama with all the dull seriousness it deserves, and make sure to stick to the facts." "Hmmm? Sorry, didn't catch that."
Rated 10 Jan 2019
67
59th
Colman is superb and the attention surrounding her performance is well deserved. While I can appreciate the laughs and the writing, It's a little slow and not entirely what I imagined this film to be. Decent, but didn't blow me away.
Rated 12 Jan 2019
70
76th
good movie
Rated 01 Feb 2019
60
71st
(DANGEROUS LESBIENNES)
Rated 02 Feb 2019
100
91st
A hilarious, devious, and entirely brilliant commentary on power, what it does to us, how far we'll go to get it, and how little actually changes once we have it. There's a sickening, cyclical magic to "The Favourite", wretchedness served to us on a silver platter with a sly wink and a nudge, the worst qualities humanity has to offer made palatable and digestible through craftsmanship alone. Expertly directed, impeccably presented, and performed with vigor, wit, and gleeful malice.
Rated 06 Feb 2019
85
92nd
Calling The Favourite "witty" might not seem as the highest of praises, but this sure was the wittiest film I've seen in a long while; filled with sharp satire, funny quips, discreet background gags and carried by pitch perfect performances all around.
Rated 10 Feb 2019
95
98th
Girls just wanna have fun.
Rated 26 Feb 2019
92
91st
Yorgos' most accessible work is still as good as we've come to expect. The three leads play off each other in fantastic subtle ways. Brilliant.
Rated 20 Dec 2018
95
98th
The weakest of Lanthimos' English-language films so far, but the other two are so good that's not saying much. First-rate acting, fine direction, very good but maybe not quite great script.
Rated 31 Dec 2018
87
84th
Hoult’s delivery of “I hope we find her and she’s not dead in a ditch” is the best of 2018 and he isnt even the best performance in this movie
Rated 24 Jan 2019
85
89th
Apart from the costumes this is unlikely to remind you of any other film set in 18th century England, due in part to the extravagant visual style - featuring scenes filmed from bizzare angles and an extensive use of fish-eye lenses to create an intimate and unsettling atmosphere. Emma Stone is good, but most of the intriguing scenes feature Olivia Colman's volatile Queen Anne and Rachel Weisz's Machiavellian Lady Sarah. Court intrigue and sexual chicanery have rarely been so juicily presented.
Rated 12 Jan 2019
90
96th
This, presumably, modern and slightly absurd spin on the costume drama oddly makes it feel more real than ever. The 3 leads have 100% chemistry but the absolute standout for me was Olivia Coleman who delivers so much comedy and tragedy in an extremely fleshed out character.
Rated 01 Apr 2019
5
73rd
this is the first lanthimos in which his style seemed a little like schtick to me, not quite in tune with the material (which, ofc, he didn't write). the stone bunny scenes are helpful examples: the former is more tender than anything yorgos would dream up, while the latter has his black footprint imprinted onto its back. both of these sensibilities really shine in places, but sometimes this push/pull made them seem respectively tame and gratuitous. maybe it'll cohere better on rewatch.
Rated 16 Oct 2018
65
40th
First part is slightly funny and certainly entertaining, but also frustrating as it desperately tries to be an ‘edgy' comedy with fancy people pronouncing the c-word and making dirty remarks. Second part loses steam; there is a lot of built up tension, but it doesn't deliver the release I was hoping for (read: I was constantly waiting for bloody mayhem to ensue). Soundtrack and visuals are outstanding.
Rated 03 Dec 2018
62
47th
The way the film keeps undermining its characters with cheap putdowns and easy laughs tends to undermine the dramatic possibilities of the story. The result can feel like one interminable dirty joke, a nasty, misanthropic but not entirely satisfying one at that.
Rated 03 Dec 2018
50
14th
Another fairly boring tale of self-destructive naval gazing, with the now near obligatory gay or lesbian sex scenes. Even heterosexual bedroom scenes have become obligatory to the point of tedium. If you want to see how it should be done, watch "Destination Wedding".
Rated 12 Dec 2018
92
92nd
How a film can be so funny, well-acted, beautifully shot, and at times nightmarishly unsettling is beyond me. The screenplay is at once empathizing and sadistic. Olivia Colman is tragic - powerless yet always with the leash wrapped tightly around her temperamental fist. The ending is strikingly bold, and will likely be unbearably weird/ambiguous for most. But upon further reflection, the emotional place it takes the characters and audience completes the film. Masterful.
Rated 25 Dec 2018
89
86th
Rife w/ reminders of legit oppression & sexism w/ an ending that suggests pain & cruelty are the offspring of Western culture, this is catnip for PC types. Fortunately it's about more than that. The main goal here seems to have been to strip away the romanticized facades of the Downton Abbeys of the world. This makes up the bulk of the first half which isn't always compelling especially bc the "humor" often falls flat. But things become more & more riveting as the 2 favourites vie for privilege
Rated 27 Dec 2018
90
88th
I expected to like this movie, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. I suppose I thought that with Lanthimos directing a movie that isn't based on a script he wrote, and a period piece no less, what we would get is a slightly watered down version ... an extremely well-made film, but one designed to broaden his audience. While I suspect this will broaden his audience, it certainly is not watered down. If anything, his comedic sensibility is blacker here.
Rated 29 Dec 2018
7
57th
Quack!
Rated 30 Dec 2018
80
62nd
Perfectly acted, immaculately filmed and one of the funniest movies of the year for me. A good dressing down of the usually hoity-toity period drama. Ultimately felt too long and left me a little cold, which would've been fine had it inspired me to analyse it for days after seeing it. Likely some of its themes and subtext flew over my head. Might be much better on a rewatch.
Rated 07 Jan 2019
77
79th
Great performances by the cast (specially Colman); good direction and screenplay; some movies that approach historical facts and the life of the court, of kings, queens and nobleman not rarely present then as sophisticated, educated people; this movie brings another vision of the life of noble people, giving a more realistic tone to their life; the development of the story is pretty interesting.
Rated 07 Jan 2019
7
73rd
Brilliant performances - quite tame for Lanthimos - but plenty to think about and (speaking as someone who works in a cinema) hoping it gets a crossover audience to appreciate something different.
Rated 07 Jan 2019
69
71st
Interesting that after two hours of the most delightfully repulsive (or some such) display of backstabbing, Lanthimos ends on the hell that binds the victors together. I would have expected or even liked a grand coup of plot and comeuppance that provides a sense of meaning beyond the perverse frivolity, but no - repulsiveness it is.
Rated 12 Jan 2019
83
69th
Another bit of gleeful nastiness from Lanthimos is difficult to embrace as passionately as you would like (especially on an initial viewing), and it does feel less go-for-broke than his previous efforts, but the three ladies deliver superlative scorched Earth performances (with Stone especially good). Use of fish-eye lenses is a neat trick at first, but is ultimately overused, and the film itself seems to take to long getting to its inevitable climax.
Rated 14 Jan 2019
80
73rd
Lanthimos is well versed in depicting people behaving badly, and, in The Favourite, he continues to allow his characters continue on this path. Now we get sweeping tracking shots and beautiful costuming that fail to cover up their debauchery. The three leads are great but it is Colman who just steals every scene.
Rated 14 Jan 2019
3
65th
Not my kind of movie, but I surely can appreciate the great directing, solid camerawork and the powerful performances by the three leading women. Very well done. *Good
Rated 16 Jan 2019
52
52nd
Far edgier compared to other historical dramas, but despite this, it still manages to be fairly dull. For something that's supposed to be a comedy, it fails in actually being funny - dropping fuck bombs and featuring lots of sex in the 18th century isn't exactly the height of comedy. As far as drama goes, its subversion of period piece conventions isn't subtle nor interesting. The relationship between characters is suitably petty, but I can only see so much lesbo sex before I stop caring.
Rated 22 Jan 2019
84
75th
The movie's greatest strength is the dynamic between the three leads. They don't need a twisty plot to show their wishes and fears. Unfortunately the plot does evolve in something a bit too familiar. Too bad because the whole scenario surrounding it, the bizarre, tragic, funny and decadent life in a palace that is, would have been strong enough alone. But it's still a very good movie. The humor is snappy but never too goofy, the depiction of politics is interesting and it looks great.
Rated 23 Jan 2019
90
91st
TURN ME LOOOOOOOOSE FROM YOUR HAAAAAAND LET ME FLYYYYYYYYYYYY TO DISTANCE LAAAAAAANDS OVER GREEEEN FIIIIIIELDS TREES AND MOUUUUNTAAAAINS FLOWERS, AND FOREST FOUNTAINS HOME ALONG THE LANES OF THE SKYYYYYWAAAAAAAAY
Rated 23 Jan 2019
70
60th
Entertaining. People in wigs do silly things. A great deal of shouting.
Rated 24 Jan 2019
76
88th
An extremely well-made and funny film that is practically a perfect (if rather slight) satire.
Rated 25 Jan 2019
91
82nd
This actually didn't smack me around the chops as much as I'd hoped; most of the comedy was utilized in the trailer, so avoid if you can. Regardless, I laughed when expected thanks to the performances. It's a farce with a razor edge. The script does a good job of making the audience cast a wide net of expectations, and Lanthimos presents one of my favourite directorial works of the year. The cast is cracking, but Coleman is the standout. She can pull laughs from a simple groan.
Rated 26 Jan 2019
90
95th
THE FAVOURITE is Greek provocateur Yorgos Lanthimos' most cohesive, confident, and laugh-out-loud funny movie to date. It's like the most fastidious of Kubrick's works set to the tune of a randy English drinking song. Examining how feminine power, sexual fluidity, and social sadism have always complicated the so-called "natural order," it's also just a goddamn blast to watch: Queen Anne's revenge on all stodgy historical dramas.
Rated 27 Jan 2019
80
79th
There is much cleverness behind the text which appreciates on consideration, such as the natural makeup of the women versus the dolling up of the men, or the many factors contributing to sensations of isolation. Up front, without a likeable character, the arcs of the film fail to generate connection along with interest, but the unique cinematography, dialogue, and characterization certainly draws the latter. Despite it, however, the film feels long.
Rated 02 Feb 2019
90
82nd
Great art direction, great performances (though, probably not as memorable as they had been advertised to me), consistent writing. Probably the best 18th century erotic thriller I've seen!
Rated 09 Feb 2019
73
71st
I really enjoyed the humor and it was worth watching just for that. The dialogue is so at odds with what you expect from characters in these costumes that it never stops being entertaining. Doesn't feel like there's much more to it than that, but that's enough.
Rated 13 Feb 2019
65
47th
"Guys, get this - costume drama, but we have everybody say 'fuck' and 'cunt' a lot." - "Amazing! How about some weird visuals?" - "Low-angle fisheye shots all the way!" - "Nice. But wouldn't that get boring?" - "Don't worry, we'll do nausea-inducing pans and then chop the whole thing into tiny parts in the editing room." - "Yorgos, you're a genius!" --- Pretty sure that's how it must have gone. Would have walked out in intermission hadn't it been for Olivia Colman's exhilarating performance.
Rated 16 Feb 2019
35
13th
Feels like a quite bad book, aims to shock and bizarre, but that now became a standard .
Rated 18 Feb 2019
85
94th
Hats off to Colman and almost everything else about this. The frequent use of the fisheye lens bugged the hell out of me, though.
Rated 23 Feb 2019
80
75th
"I like it when she puts her tongue inside me." Olivia Colman deserves all the awards that she will receive.
Rated 03 Mar 2019
66
70th
Weisz, Colman, Stone and Hoult are great. The dialogue is pithy, being funny or sad as needed. The use of wide lenses updates the usual stagnant look of most period pieces. The Favourite is undeniably a good film; so why did I find myself not fully enjoying it. It's a very indulgent film; the costumes, the characters and their behaviour, the score, the runtime. Ultimately, it may be that the characters are truly unsympathetic; their institutions deserve immolation instead of a tepid defeat.
Rated 07 Mar 2019
3
28th
SNOOOOOOORRRRE, fuck film critics and the oscars
Rated 05 Oct 2019
88
80th
?? in a bottle | Nutty, rude, dirty, hilarious & wonderful | ?? it | •Totally smashes the Beckdale test + gives almost all the attention to the amazing female leads: 3 brilliant performances (though Studio gaming who was 'lead' seems rather off & quasi immoral) | •Some genuinely surprising, even startling & shocking moments | • A costume drama for those who find those boring. I promise you, this is not your typical courts, corsets & counts affair ?
Rated 25 Oct 2020
94
97th
This film is fantastic on so many levels. The score and photography are sublime, acting superb, script dances effortlessly between drama and comedy, displaying all the grotesque and banality of the ruling class. Easily one of the best movies of the first quarter of the century.
Rated 30 Jan 2019
75
83rd
I don't think I gave Colman as much credit initially. Great camera work. I really noticed the sudden jerking to focus on the speaker, the lower angles, and the fish eye lens. I would have liked to see fewer hallway scenes, more passage of time, and more scenes like shooting chats. Would have enjoyed more palace intrigue. Feels like a very small palace despite the British Empire. Probably the least thought-provoking Lanthimos film I've watched. Fav scene: anytime Hoult pops up to call out Stone.
Rated 22 Feb 2019
81
82nd
This was... kind of miserable. But as a piece of social commentary, I thought it did a great job. And I didn't find it annoying or preachy. Just every character was kinda hatable. It wasn't very hopeful. But... entertaining?
Rated 27 May 2020
73
85th
It's a woman eat woman world in this take of the last years of Queen Anne's rule. Powerful performances, all around. The grotesque comedy makes the tragedy of Anne's life even more apparent. Golden cages.
Rated 07 Jun 2019
80
82nd
Huge fun. I don't know what I expected, but not this. A nice, nasty tale told with verve--it kept reminding me of Dangerous Liaisons, except more scatological, and a lot of the characters say "cunt" a lot, especially the women... what's not to love? As a musician, I was continually bothered by the soundtrack, lovely as most of it is: although all those original instrument performances are meant to suggest otherwise, most of it was written well after the real Queen Anne died.
Rated 11 Apr 2019
65
71st
Entertaining faux-historical drama, staging the self-serving power games of the aristocracy while itself revelling in casual obscenity, casual lesbianism, and even more casual assault. Watched this on a plane, but it seemed, through what I could discern on the small dim screen and above the roar of the engines, to be a film that probably looks and sounds good. The themes are not so profound, perhaps, but the same can be said of numerous well-regarded movies.
Rated 17 Feb 2019
80
83rd
bir lanthimos filmi değil esasında ama bir lanthimos filmi olan sacred deer'dan da iyi
Rated 29 Jan 2019
75
46th
I have to give credit where credit is due and say that all parts of the film are made expertly. The cinematography, costumes, and locations are top notch. Colman, Weisz, and Stone give outstanding performances. The writing has an edgy comedic bite to it. Unfortunately a lot of these aspects do not mesh well. At times the comedic aspects felt like they were having an all out war with the dramatic aspects. This result in a film that is intriguing but not entertaining.
Rated 04 Jan 2019
81
74th
Brilliant acting (Olivia Colman should be a frontrunner for some major awards), almost perfect directing, and original take on period movies... All that being said, the movie has some pacing issues (rapid fire witty comedy is very much forgotten at times) and it kinda loses you at certain moments. (I found myself looking at my watch in the middle, which is not a great sign.) Definitely enjoyable though, the acting is just amazing.
Rated 06 Dec 2018
70
47th
I haven't truly loved a Lanthimos film since "Dogtooth" but I still actively hunt out his new releases thanks to his sharp ruminations on totalitarianism and heirarchy. I also didn't love "The Favourite". I felt it lost it's steam exactly halfway through, after rushing forward with a fantastic and quite erotic premise. Yet, despite all of its late clunkiness Yorgos still manages to form a pointed undressing of hierarchal politics and the poison of inherited power.
Rated 05 Jan 2019
85
66th
After Yorgos Larnthimos' delightully weird The Lobster, this big-budget Oscar Hail Mary is well shot and well acted and contains plenty weirdness, but doesn't come together fully in the end. A story of terrible people with power sniping at each other, one would almost find it fresh if it weren't already being shoved down our throats in real life in the US gov and with the Markle-Katherine sniping rumors. The scenes are gorgeous and the acting is top notch with Colman, as always, taking the crown
Rated 07 Jan 2019
6
40th
A slick auteur's put down, sour, sleazy take on the BBC costume drama type. Also known as: The attack of the killer concave lenses. Begs the question: What kind of politics are lower, the movie's or the plot's? Answer's clear. Detailed production gives interest.
Rated 10 Jan 2019
2
10th
It's too long and lacks some of the bite of his earlier endings, but the performances are so good, and the direction pushes everything really well.
Rated 20 Jan 2019
90
88th
A beautiful cinematic experience, wonderul camera work and lighting... Coleman's performance is brilliant
Rated 21 Jan 2019
99
96th
Lanthimos at his absolute best. This is the most polished of his style we've ever seen. A film that excels in perfection on almost every level. The most perfect tale of betrayal, power, politics, revenge, feminism and, ultimately, love.
Rated 30 Jan 2019
84
80th
Not throughout weird like one might expect from Lanthimos, but neither it's your typical boring costume drama – it's playful, silly and engaging. Though I didn't always dig the camerawork, it's interesting and not distracting
Rated 02 Feb 2019
80
79th
Lanthimos's oeuvre is set in uncanny and unsettling universes (Dogtooth's authoritarian domestic regime, Lobster's dystopic semantics, and here, norms and rules of 18th c. royal court), distilling ideas on freedom, power, and subjectivity. At times thrilling and brutal, at times hilariously funny, this is an aesthetically robust tale of desire and of course, master-slave dialectics. Also, unlike "clean" historical movies, I liked its loyalty to the epoch's genuine customs and costumes.
Rated 05 Feb 2019
82
88th
A gorgeous look into the vile power plays in the royal court of an aging, mentally deteriorating queen. Gleefully evil performances by Stone, Weisz and Hoult are perfectly countered by the superbly sad and childlike performance of Olivia Colman. Very funny and equally sad at the same time.
Rated 06 Feb 2019
60
24th
Seems to just be an excuse to write a period lesbian love triangle. The misogynistic script left me cold and the plodding repetitive score drove me crazy. The costumes, performances and set design were very well done, however.
Rated 08 Feb 2019
77
60th
Very interesting, pretty experimental! I need to think about it more
Rated 09 Feb 2019
90
94th
Acting, directing, cinematography, are all absolutely brilliant. Writing is pretty good too. Excellent.
Rated 11 Feb 2019
90
96th
Best film of 2018?
Rated 12 Feb 2019
80
84th
Fantastic stuff, although I needed to read a lot of comments and reviews to be at peace with the ending.
Rated 15 Feb 2019
80
90th
Yorgos Lanthimos cements himself as one of my very favourite directors working today. This was really good. I loved how it perfectly straddled that line between a legitimate period drama and a comedy, without becoming a farce or parody. It was pretty funny, but with plenty of darkness and sadness - right up my alley. Fantastic performances all around - so funny, but with so much nuance. The film looked beautiful, with great costumes and production design, too. Loved it.
Rated 15 Feb 2019
85
79th
Yorgos Lanthimos again delivers a beautiful-looking movie with his distinct style being all over it.The main performances are just perfect.Rachel Weisz is incredible, Emma Stone gives the best performance of her career and Olivia Colman absolutely steals the show.There is no three act structure here so at times for me it does feel slow but that didn't hurt the experience.It still was an incredibly smart satire of 18th century England with great dialogue being delivered by incredible actors.
Rated 15 Feb 2019
85
90th
I miss the cold nihilism and absurdist surrealism of Lanthimos's screenplays, but his skewering of self-absorbed aristocratic idiots being self-absorbed aristocratic idiots still brings forth his acerbic wit and fierce irreverence you otherwise love (or hate).
Rated 18 Feb 2019
100
95th
Beautiful mise en scene, interesting camerwork, and tight editing. The dialogue is biting and with a sharp and cold-steel delivery reminiscent of Yorgos' other films. The simple story of palace intrigue and courting favour through subterfuge is elevated by the modern performances and chemistry between the three leads, without relying on male-centered romancing or misunderstandings perpetuated via gossip to create tension. The pacing is smooth and the tone is never out touch with the moment.
Rated 21 Feb 2019
75
72nd
I'm not usually a fan of period pieces but this film toes the line between a period piece and a comedy very effectively. Outrageous, unabashed and funny without ever feeling over the top. The performances and direction really lift this to another level. The story itself is also very engaging to the very end (though I wasn't exactly a fan of the ending). It won't be for everyone but it's definitely worth a look.
Rated 24 Feb 2019
87
97th
Can't take it seriously since you will miss the fun, can't take it lightly since you will miss the humanity in it - just enjoy the dying genre of black comedy this movie wonderfully represents. They don't write them as they used to.

Collections

(58)
Compact view
Showing 1 - 24 of 58 results

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...