The Favourite - it's possibly not what people are expecting

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One thing the British film industry has long been famous for is historic period drama. The world over people seem to LOVE a good 'frock flick' - lots of lavish settings, amazing clothes and jewellery, and all the characters poncing around speaking in 'old' English. Who could resist a good Jane Austen or a bit of Mrs Gaskell? The world loves historic dramas. 'The Favourite' with Olivia Coleman as Queen Anne and Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz as two women fighting for her favour, has all the fabulous buildings and stunning period clothing but it's not for the faint-hearted. This is no 'Pride and Prejudice' or tale of genteel manners. Instead we have a lesbian three-some, violence, 17 rabbits hopping around the Queen's bedroom, and plenty of political shenanigans. The men are trussed up in their finery with horrendous wigs and more make-up than the women and it's all rather 'lewd'. As for the language? It's decidedly more 'Anglo-Saxon' than I expected. I cannot recall a film where the use of the C-word was quite so liberal. I'm absolutely sure our present Queen has never used such swear words. Aside from that though, it's absolutely brilliant. All the politics and trickery, the game-playing and the clever word play are well worth a view but I have to warn off anybody who's really only going for the dresses or who is easily offended. There's plenty to raise the eyebrows in this one.