The historical drama La Favorite, carried by the formidable Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone, is to (re) discover now on Disney +. Here are 3 things to know about this work hailed by critics and spectators!
A MODERNIZED TRUE STORY
A real critical success upon its theatrical release in 2019, the historical drama La Favorite has just arrived this Friday, February 11 on Disney+. The film by Greek director Yórgos Lánthimos tells the story of an unknown queen, Anne of England, the last heiress of the Stuart line, and the rivalry between her confidante Lady Sarah and her new servant Abigail Hill.
Served by a trio of actresses at the top of their game – Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone, the feature film offers a contemporary reading of this part of British history. Filmmaker and screenwriters Deborah Dean Davis and Tony McNamara have indeed taken some liberties with historical reality to offer viewers a modern and relevant work, sprinkled with anachronisms.
A LONG TIME PROJECT
While French viewers were able to discover La Favorite on the big screen in 2019, Yórgos Lánthimos’ film took many years to see the light of day. A first draft of the screenplay was written in 1998 by British screenwriter Deborah Dean Davis, who was inspired by letters sent by the main interested parties: Anne, Sarah and Abigail.
Once the project was officially launched, the script was reworked by screenwriter Tony McNamara, to whom we owe the brilliant series The Great, which returns with humor and derision to the fate of Catherine II of Russia. Recently, he also wrote the screenplay for the live-action Cruella, with Emma Stone in the title role.
Twenty years later, La Favorite finally arrived on our screens!
2018 Twentieth Century Fox
TOP APPOINTMENTS
Crowned with success, the historical drama won ten nominations for the 2019 Oscars, along with Roma by Alfonso Cuarón, both favorites in the competition. Olivia Colman, nominated for the first time at the prestigious ceremony, won the Oscar for best actress for her exceptional performance, hailed by all, which had already earned her a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.
If Green Book finally leaves with the statuette, The Favorite is crowned best film at the European Film Awards a few months later, and wins seven other trophies, including best comedy, best director and best European actress.
Olivia Colman, who had already collaborated with Yórgos Lánthimos on the film The Lobster, was also specially chosen by the Greek director who could not consider someone else for the role of Queen Anne.
Discover now his masterful performance in La Favorite, available on Disney +.