‘The Favourite’ is a note perfect film, one of the year’s best

Prior to seeing The Favourite, I admired the films of director Yorgos Lanthimos more than I enjoyed them. They had a kind of cold Kubrickian intensity that was undeniably impressive. Yet there was also a smugness to the laughs and a jarring lack of heart. While devotees may consider his new film a bid for the mainstream, I consider it a maturation—and a masterpiece.

This is a film where I wouldn’t change a single line or alter any scene. It features a trio of peerless performances that rank among the year’s best from Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and the scene-stealing Olivia Coleman. Nicolas Hoult also offers tremendous support to this bawdy and beautiful costume comedy.

The best corollary for this film is Stanley Kubricks’s epic Barry Lyndon. Both films are about conniving people trying to move above their station in life.

In this film, it’s Emma Stone — doing a very credible British accent — vying for the affections of a queen who is very in over her head (Coleman) while competing with her royal highness’ best friend, sometimes lover and long time manipulator (Weisz).

Their escalating feud provides the spine of this sumptuous romp, which feels utterly contemporary and never, ever predictable.

Lanthimos has not abandoned his fascination with human frailty and cruelty, nor has he lost his deadpan humor — which is here in abundance.

It turns out his sensibility is a perfect fit for the costume drama because he is able to revel in the absurdity of the character’s vanity and political machinations.

And without spoiling anything — I’ll say it ends with one of the most quietly devastating finales I’ve seen in quite some time. For all it’s funny moments, The Favourite has a stone cold seriousness in its center.

Black Panther remains the most entertaining film I’ve seen this year and its power as pop art has not diminished with time, but The Favourite certainly rivals it in terms of craftsmanship and storytelling — and they both benefit from a clear visionary serving as the director.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t continue to sing the praises of the movie’s leading ladies. These are very challenging, emotional and physical performances at a time where many have rightfully called out a dearth of strong women’s roles. This film could and should stand as a testament to the what-should-be-obvious fact that women can be just as riveting on screen as any man, if not more.

I can’t say enough good things about this movie and it just made my top 10 list a little more overstuffed.