{"id":6525,"date":"2018-12-07T09:35:21","date_gmt":"2018-12-07T14:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/?p=6525"},"modified":"2018-12-07T09:38:51","modified_gmt":"2018-12-07T14:38:51","slug":"a-tale-of-two-historical-epics-mary-queen-of-scots-vs-the-favourite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/?p=6525","title":{"rendered":"A Tale of Two Historical Epics: Mary Queen of Scots vs. The Favourite"},"content":{"rendered":"

In limited release are two films that shine an unflattering light on the British royalty. While \u201cMary Queen of Scots\u201d is a handsomely mounted and performed historical drama, \u201cThe Favourite,\u201d that was recently awarded best picture by the Atlanta Film Critics Circle, will be the one to garner many end of the year top awards.<\/em><\/p>\n

The traditional approach: Mary Queen of Scots<\/em> – Fix 6\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As historical dramatic epics go, you could do a whole lot worse than \u201cMary Queen of Scots.\u201d Director Josie Rourke follows a familiar time-tested format reminiscent of televisual Masterpiece Theater fare. Performances are solid and the production is lush, if also not particularly spectacular.<\/p>\n

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Saoirse Ronan rides in exile battling for her throne in “Mary Queen of Scots.” \u00a9 2018 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This ample telling of the ill-fated Scot features fine work by Margot Robbie, playing Queen Elizabeth I, and Saoirse Ronan, as the title character Mary. The story centers around the power struggle for the crown\u2014Elizabeth vs. the upstart challenger Mary, who may have the rightful claim based on her lineage. Certain to be criticized for the liberties that it takes factually, the story is told from each woman\u2019s perspective. Naturally, given the name of the film, the lion\u2019s share of the action belongs to Ronan (\u201cLady Bird\u201d), but it\u2019s Robbie\u2019s work that may get award\u2019s notice.<\/p>\n

History told from a fresh perspective: The Favourite<\/em> – Fix Rating 10\/10<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An acting masterclass, \u201cThe Favourite\u201d essentially has three leads in Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone. Any one of the these talented actresses could be recognized for their fine work. But Colman, as Queen Anne, is credited as the lead, making her the logical choice for the best actress nomination. Further attesting to \u201cThe Favourite\u2019s\u201d undeniable merit, Stone, who will likely find herself with another Oscar nomination, may be competing in the supporting actress category with co-star and fellow Oscar winner Weisz.<\/p>\n

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Rachel Weisz and Joe Alwyn in the film THE FAVOURITE. Photo by Atsushi Nishijima.\u00a0\u00a9 2018 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This dark comedy takes place in 18th century England during the rule of the sickly Queen Anne (Colman). With the assistance of her close friend Lady Sarah (Weisz), Queen Anne manages the affairs of state from a palace in the countryside. Things begin to unravel when Sarah\u2019s penniless cousin Abigail (Stone) visits looking for work. In time, the conflict between the two women for the affections of the troubled Queen reaches a fevered pitch, with potentially dangerous results. Although there are biting and comical moments, the discord and its ultimate resolution is no laughing matter.<\/p>\n

Visuals that tell a story: Risks and Rewards<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While the attention will be paid to the three actresses performing at this top of their abilities, director Yargos Lanthimos (\u201cThe Lobster\u201d), working with gifted cinematographer Robbie Ryan (see \u201cSlow West,\u201d \u201cWuthering Heights,\u201d \u201cAmerican Honey\u201d and many others), crafts a sumptuous picture. \u201cThe Favourite\u201d looks even more impressive when compared to \u201cMary Queen of Scots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Already sporting a traditional take on storytelling, \u201cScots\u201d is, also, more conventional visually. Oscar nominated cinematographer John Mathieson (he gave us the fantastic looking \u201cGladiator\u201d) takes very few risks, as we get pretty shots of the Scottish and British countryside. These massive, wide angle images are repeated over and over, and interiors are fine, if mostly locked down. By comparison, \u201cThe Favourite\u201d approaches the subject with the particular style indicative of its interesting director.<\/p>\n

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Director Yorgos Lanthimos and Olivia Colman on the set of “The Favourite.” Photo by Atsushi Nishijima. \u00a9 2018 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The talent responsible for 2009\u2019s fascinating \u201cDogtooth,\u201d Lanthimos is an exciting auteur. \u201cThe Lobster\u201d was one of the best films of 2015, and his \u201cKilling of Sacred Deer\u201d was consistently interesting, showing great potential early only to never quite come together in the concluding act. \u201cThe Favourite\u201d is the culmination of his promise, a fully realized and accomplished film worthy of best picture honors.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Lanthimos\u2019 unconventional approach in the narrative that spills over to the cinematography. The images have great depth, with detail in the darkness that suggests that something is there lurking about. What\u2019s interesting is how brightly lit hallways, partially awash with light from large windows, are very quickly swallowed up by darker areas as the camera follows the characters. In \u201cScots,\u201d interiors are often minimalistic, not just in design, which may be period appropriate, but in depth and texture. Mathieson\u2019s work is professional and expected, but lacks the spark that Lanthimos and Ryan bring to the material.<\/p>\n

Something staged, something cinematic: pick your poison.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cMary Queen of Scots\u201d is the debut feature from theater director Josie Rourke. While the movie is perfectly fine, it is somewhat lifeless when compared to \u201cThe Favourite.\u201d Rourke\u2019s background in theater is clear, as much of the film feels like it would be at home on the stage. Lanthimos\u2019 direction is infused with cinematic energy that takes advantage of the camera, making the material feel fresh and new. It\u2019s this freshness that is sorely missing from Rourke\u2019s more conventional historical epic.<\/p>\n

Still, I really enjoyed \u201cScots,\u201d and felt a bit uneasy while experiencing \u201cThe Favourite.\u201d This points up the inherent differences in the filmmaking approach. Rourke delivers a stately, handsome, if, somewhat flat, take on past events, whereas Lanthimos takes the most risks. It is important to note that both films insert sexual identity material, but again, it is \u201cThe Favourite\u201d that doesn\u2019t feel like such subplot is forced into the narrative.<\/p>\n

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Margot Robbie gives her all playing Queen Elizabeth I in “Mary Queen of Scots.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For some viewers, Rourke\u2019s Masterpiece Theater method will be exactly right, but it\u2019s Lanthimos who will receive all the attention, capturing the imagination of the cool kids and awards voters. The real loser is Margot Robbie, who gives her finest performance to date, only to find herself outdone by the edgier work of an inspired, A-list threesome.<\/p>\n

The winner here is Lanthimos, who presented question marks after the relative failure of his \u201cThe Killing of a Sacred Deer.\u201d Here he\u2019s able to maintain the intensity and carry his film to a meaningful conclusion that will have viewers immersed in discussion thereafter.<\/p>\n

\u201cMary Queen of Scots\u201d and \u201cThe Favourite\u201d are in theaters now.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jonathan compares and contrasts the approaches of two very different filmmakers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[26,1080,370,1078,1082,1081,1083,1079,1067,1084],"class_list":["post-6525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","tag-emma-stone","tag-josie-rourke","tag-margot-robbie","tag-mary-queen-of-scots","tag-olivia-colman","tag-rachel-weisz","tag-robbie-ryan","tag-saoirse-ronan","tag-the-favourite","tag-yargos-lanthimos","no-thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6525"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6535,"href":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6525\/revisions\/6535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyfilmfix.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}