[Screen It]

 

"THE FAVOURITE"
(2018) (Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone) (R)


At-A-Glace Content Summary

Alcohol/Drugs Heavy
Blood/Gross Stuff Moderate
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude Heavy
Frightening/Tense Scenes Mild
Gun/Weapons Moderate
Imitative Behavior Heavy
Jump Scenes Mild
Music (Scary/Tense) Mild
Music (Inappropriate) None
Profanity Extreme
Sex/Nudity Extreme
Smoking Mild
Tense Family Scenes Moderate
Topics to Talk About Heavy
Violence Moderate


QUICK TAKE:
Drama: Two women -- one already established in the role and the other a newcomer to the court -- vie for the role of personal aide and lover to the partially senile Queen of England.
PLOT:
It's the early 18th century and Queen Anne (OLIVIA COLMAN) is the widowed ruling monarch of England. But she's in bad health and her mental state is unstable at times, so much so that she relies on the assistance of her personal aide, Lady Sarah (RACHEL WEISZ), whose husband runs the military. With the country at war with France and Sarah being a war hawk, she ends up making decisions on the Queen's behalf, sometimes with the monarch not even knowing that's occurred.

Sarah holds so much power and is so close to the Queen -- including in the bedroom -- that no one dares challenge her, be that Prime Minister Godolphin (JAMES SMITH) or Tory leader Harley (NICHOLAS HOULT) who's against the war tax increase Sarah is pushing. But things change when her cousin, Abigail (EMMA STONE), arrives at the court looking for work. Once from a noble family, she's fallen onto hard times, what with her father having lost her at the age of 15 in a card game.

Sarah gives her a job as a scullery maid, but when Abigail mixes up a concoction that helps heal the Queen's gout-stricken legs, the young woman suddenly realizes her path. And that's first to convince Sarah that she's her loyal assistant and once that's done, do the same in regard to the Queen. While doing so, she must contend with the romantic interest of courtier Masham (JOE ALWYN), all while Sarah attempts to undermine her once she recognizes her cousin's plan to take over her position with the Queen.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?
The award buzz might draw some, while others might want to see the film if they're fans of anyone in the cast or costume dramas.
WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R
For strong sexual content, nudity and language.


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