The Favourite starring Olivia Colman and Rachel Weisz is my early favourite for film of the year

WHOOMP! Here it is. The first film of the year and one by which most films released in 2019 will have to stand up against.

We’re in the early 18th Century and two manipulative cousins vie for the attention of a completely useless Queen Anne (Olivia Colman), a woman teetering on the brink of ill health and lunacy.

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One cousin is Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) her current consort, who bends the royal ear to suit her husband’s militarily needs. Churchill is also the queen’s lover, and although the sexual relationship between the three women is vital to the plot, it’s never sensationalised or gawked at.

The other cousin is Abigail (Emma Stone), a destitute armed with nothing more than fierce ambition and a distinct lack of morality. Both are equally ruthless and conniving in their quest leaving everyone, from spouses to government, powerless to intervene.

It is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (who you should know from The Lobster and The Killing Of A Sacred Deer — if you don’t, rectify that immediately). Filmed in Hatfield House in Herts and Hampton Court Palace in London, Lanthimos has weaved a sumptuous and sweary romp orchestrating an enviable cast with utter precision.

Where to begin? How about having Stone and Weisz sparring for starters? Their vicious relationship underpins the film and it’s clear the two enjoyed themselves immensely - especially Stone who gets a chance to flex some new muscles.

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Weisz’s take on Sarah is slightly more considered. At least a small part of her brain is set on helping the queen manoeuvre the male- dominated hellhole of bureaucracy.

Throughout the whole vulgar display of ambition you are never sure whose side you’re on and no one is particularly nice. By the final scene you’re left feeling dreadfully sorry for everyone, despite each being there as a result of their own actions. Whether “there” is where they deserve to be is open to debate.

The Favourite is a tale without a winner, but plenty of warranted consequences. Don’t think for a second this is some bloated and plodding historical piece though. It’s fresh, foul and extremely funny.

Deborah Davis’s script — her first screenplay — could be set in any era. It’s an absolute zinger that effortlessly veers from farce to pathos with some of the best lines I’ve heard for donkey’s. Sample line: “Did you sleep well?” “Like a shot badger.”

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Lanthimos is as concise, methodical and clinical as ever. Although this is the first time he’s directed something he didn’t write, he finds the peculiarities in life and makes them as neon and grotesque as possible. How he managed to edit this down to two hours is beyond me and the cutting-room floor must’ve been strewn with more magic than most directors offer up in an entire career.

All this and I have said little about Colman. It’s becoming almost snow blindness to heap praise on her, but it’s going to happen again. Her pitying, sulky, indulgent yet not-quite-mad monarch is mind-bogglingly good.

Stick all the above alongside some of the finest costumes, supporting cast (Nicholas Hoult brings his A-game), score and cinematography and you’ve pretty much filled up an entire Baftas nomination list. I couldn’t fault a single thing, it’s seriously good fun.

The Favourite 121mins (15)

★★★★★