The Favourite

The Favourite is a 2018 period black comedy film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. A co-production between Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the film stars Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz. Set in early 18th century Great Britain, it examines the relationship between cousins Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough and Abigail Hill as they vie to be court favourite of Queen Anne. Principal photography took place at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire and at Hampton Court Palace, lasting from March to May 2017. The film premiered on 30 August 2018 at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for Colman. It was released theatrically in North America on 23 November 2018 by Fox Searchlight Pictures, and in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 1 January 2019. The film was a box office success, grossing $95 million worldwide on a $15 million budget. The Favourite received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise drawn to Lanthimos's direction, the screenplay and performances of the lead cast, and it won or was nominated for numerous awards, including ten Academy Award nominations, tying Roma for the most nominations of any film at that year's ceremony. It won ten British Independent Film Awards, seven BAFTA Awards, and eight European Film Awards, and Colman won Best Actress at each of those ceremonies, as well as the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes, and others. The American Film Institute named The Favourite one of the top ten films of 2018 and since its release, it has been assessed as one of the best films of the 21st century.

Video-background
12s
HARLEY: A treaty would save money and lives. A win for all Englishmen. PRIME MINISTER: We go to them after one victory, they know we are scared. We bury more of them, they know we have them. The queen has decided, Harley. I disagree.

The Favourite

Video-background
15s
A lot. I'd like an audience with the queen where I may state my case. State it to me. I love a comedy. Is there cake? HARLEY: This is a disgusting distortion of the system. You have no place in this. Your mascara is running. If you'd like to go fix yourself, we can continue this later.

The Favourite

Video-background
1.3s
[GRUNTS]

The Favourite

Video-background
1.5s
[GRUNTS]

The Favourite

Video-background
6.7s
SARAH: You will need to pay for the repair of that. We have a war to finance. Every penny counts. PRIME MINISTER: Come on, old bean. One more victory.

The Favourite

Video-background
1.2s
[DUCK QUACKS]

The Favourite

Video-background
1.6s
PRIME MINISTER: Must you rub it in?

The Favourite

Video-background
5.4s
A man's dignity is the one thing that holds him back from running amok. Sometimes a lady likes to have some fun.

The Favourite

Video-background
2.1s
PRIME MINISTER: We need to be careful, Sarah.

The Favourite

Video-background
3.4s
He's a useful ally, but a dangerous enemy.

The Favourite

Video-background
1.5s
SARAH: Borrow anything you want.

The Favourite

Video-background
1.4s
Thank you.

The Favourite

Video-background
1.3s
And thank you for the job.

The Favourite

Video-background
3.9s
I have a thing for the weak. FOOTMAN: Lord Marlborough. MARLBOROUGH: It is time.

The Favourite

Video-background
1.4s
SARAH: You must be safe.

The Favourite

Video-background
5.5s
You must not be foolish and brave. Be smart and safe, I beg you. I will.

The Favourite

Video-background
1.5s
SARAH: Stay with me tonight.

The Favourite

Video-background
2.9s
MARLBOROUGH: I must sleep with my men. It is only right.

The Favourite

Video-background
7.6s
I had a dream that this very small Frenchman covered in blood... was carrying Marlborough's head around, feeding it Brie.

The Favourite

Video-background
1.5s
He's a great soldier.

The Favourite