FF2 Media’s new “Watch at Home” columns list the new films written and/or directed by women filmmakers that are newly available each week on DVD, Video On Demand &/or streaming services.
Here are the new films written and/or directed by women filmmakers now available at home as of 2/15/2019 (with links to FF2 Media reviews posted the week of their theatrical release):
- The Favourite – Deborah Davis (co-writer)
- Free Solo – E. Chai Vasarhelyi (co-director)
- London Fields – Roberta Hanley (co-writer)
- Patrick – Mandie Fletcher (director/co-writer), Vanessa Davies (co-writer)
- Pinsky – Amanda Lundquist (director/co-writer), Rebecca Karpovsky (co-writer)
- Ralph Breaks The Internet – Pamela Ribon (co-writer)
DANIELLE’S TOP PICK OF THE WEEK
This week’s selection is The Favourite. The Favourite is the wittiest film to date from director Yorgos Lanthimos and is brought to life largely by three strong women.
The newest film from Yorgos Lanthimos takes place in the early 1700s. Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) holds the English throne at this time. She’s calling the shots while England and France are at war. The war being the War of Spanish Succession–which doesn’t end until 1714. While it’s safe to say that this film is a historical biopic, there’s nothing by way of showing what year it is. This doesn’t take away from how entertaining the film is because the laughs come left and right. The film more or less displays the key moments at hand.
Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz), the Duchess of Marlborough, is the one calling the shots while the Queen is ill. Lady Churchill befriended Queen Anne years earlier and their friendship is very close. The film goes as far as to suggest a romantic relationship between the two of them. They had nicknames for each other, too–Mrs. Morley for the Queen and Mrs. Freeman for Lady Churchill. When Abigail appears to be the Favourite, Lady Churchill threatens to blackmail the Queen by sending her letters to author Jonathan Swift.
The screenplay from Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara gives us such dialogue that is fitting for a film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. We get comedy, romance, and tragedy all in a singular film. Where The Lobster was an absurd black comedy, The Favourite surely goes for comedy. Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz are simply magnificent in bringing these performances to life.
Please click HERE for my full review.
© Danielle Solzman (02/15/19) FF2 Media
Featured photos from The Favourite EPK
Photo Credits: Fox Searchlight Pictures
