Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster; The Killing of a Sacred Deer) and starring Olivia Colman (Murder on the Orient Express; The Lobster; Broadchurch; The Night Manager, The Crown, Les Misérables (all tv series)), Rachel Weisz (The Lobster; The Constant Gardener; The Mummy; The Bourne Legacy; The Lovely Bones; Runaway Jury) and Emma Stone (La La Land; Birdman; Magic in the Moonlight; The Amazing Spider-Man; Crazy, Stupid, Love.; The Help).
119 mins, comedy drama, 12+
Set in early 18th century England - Queen Anne ruled from 1702-1714, Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) lives in her palace where she also meets the Prime Minister and members of the government; in fact, all the scenes are set either in the palace or in its grounds, with just a couple in neighbouring villages.
The main storyline centres around Queen Anne and her close friend Lady Sarah Marlborough (Rachel Weisz) whose niece Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives on the scene, asking for a job as her family has fallen on hard times. With a very "upstairs-downstairs" class divide in operation, one can easily visualise the differences between the ruling classes and nobles, with the servants and peasants.
England is at war (with the French), but the Queen is frail and "not with it". As well as being naieve or not very politically savvy, as illustrated by her embarrassment by opposition members of parliament regarding levying of taxes, she overeats to excess and has rages and tantrums, ordering those in her court to start or stop doing whatever they are doing, as a whim.
From the outset the film is similar in approach to the director's previous two releases, "The Lobster" and "The Killing of a Sacred Deer", with the storyline told out in a theatre of the absurd. When Queen Anne notices Abigail and realises she is a bit different, in that she both respects the queen's position but also speaks her mind instead of cowering in fear, she slowly starts to rival Lady Sarah as the Queen's confidant and companion. But who will win out between Lady Sarah and Abigail, or will they settle their differences and quest for the queen's attention to become equals?
In one scene, Queen Anne explains to Abigail that she lost 17 children, therefore explaining the number of rabbits in cages in her room which she occasionally allows out to hop around and play.
As well as the superb acting from all of the three leads, the character development is very interestingly done, with the audience learning more about them as the film progresses. The costumes are exquisite and the setting of Hatfield House in Hertfordshire - both interiors and exteriors - are magnificent. The storyline is based around historical fact and the political shenanigans are fascinating to watch; however, many scenes and lines are hilarious, overall offering quality entertainment.
Like Yorgos Lanthimos's previous works, this film divides opinion; if you are a fan of "The Lobster" and "The Killing of a Sacred Deer", then this is a must-see. It did very well indeed at the recent Golden Globe awards, and with the Oscars around the corner...
