The Favourite (2018) and Classism

 

"As it turns out, I'm capable of much unpleasantness."

the grand ornate palace halls are almost a character by themselves, those who walk through the gilded hallways and past the sprawling tapestry are dwarfed by their scale and detail, like little dolls in a giant playhouse. the wealth itself is so present that becomes an oppressive force, at times enveloping the characters in moments of weakness.

sarah is greater ambition, in charge of queen anne's estate and fit to rule, using her influence on anne to further her own political agendas.

abigail is desperate self-serving, intelligent and climbing, subject to years of abuse after being cast out of her high-standing. 

sarah and abigail are both leeches but in different manners, drinking from the fountain of wealth for their own gain through the tap that is anne; anne is stilted, sick and atrophying, great tragedy has plagued her to the point where she is childlike and prone to fits of rage, with all the authority but with little agency. her life is that of a puppet.

sarah acts stern and as an equal with anne, keeping her alive and healthy, but it is uncertain if its mainly so she can keep using her as a mouthpiece or if its because she genuinely cares for her. 

abigail placates anne, giving into her every desire so she can rise a little higher and take over to assure her safety. with every assurance she becomes more and more comfortable, ego grows and swells like a balloon.

at the end, abigail realizes she has not escaped the fate she was so desperately escaping, she has trapped herself in an unending cycle of posturing and lovelessness, still a servant to a mistress, the favourite now but not by choice; a hollow existence at its ceiling with nowhere else to climb.

"My life is like a maze that I continually think I've gotten out of only to find another corner right in front of me."

Originally posted on Letterboxd on 13th January, 2024