January 2019 film review part 2

STAN AND OLLIE (2018) D- David S Baird
It is the early 50s, and the greatest comedy duo of all time are approaching the twilight of their careers. But they still have ex-wives and lots of other expenses to keep up, and they can’t really retire, even if they might like to. Someone then has the bright idea of a personal appearance tour of Britain, where they are still much loved. Or are they? Because for the first shows there is only the barest handful of people prepared to buy tickets. Was all this a terrible mistake?

This film is a minor classic. With a superb John C Reilly as Ollie, and an equally brilliant Steve Coogan (I didn't think of Alan Partidge even once) as Stan, and both having the benefit of a brilliant script by Jeff Pope to work with, we are guaranteed a subtle and moving experience one rarely experiences in the modern cinema. Superior movie making.

THE FAVOURITE (2108) D- Yorgos Lanthimos
At the turn of the 18th century, good Queen Anne (Olivia Coleman) is being manipulated by the scheming Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, whose husband, the first Duke of Marlborough, having won the Battle of Blenheim, is as good as being the second most powerful person in England. She has been appointed Mistress of the Queen’s Wardrobe, making her the third most powerful. Then some miserable peasant upstart (Emma Stone) comes along and threatens to spoil everything.
What follows is an extraordinary power struggle for the ear of the queen, which some have likened to the plot of All About Eve. 

The producers poured a lot of money into making this film look completely authentic, but they stopped short of doing the same thing with the dialogue. At one point someone says “No pressure” which is something absolutely no one would have said in those days, as is the expression “OK” which didn’t appear until at least 150 years later. I’m sure I heard someone use the word “paranoid” as well - same problem. Why so careless with the dialogue, when you spent millions on making the costumes, carriages and sets look perfect?
Slightly disappointing.