The Favourite (2018)

Despite great turns from the three leads, it initially comes off feeling a little long, cold, and empty (though the style is fabulous–see the elaborate costumes and sets contrasted with the curt, crass dialogue; the marvelous cinematography and editing–love those fish-eye shots and slow cross-fades). Upon further rumination though the chilling arc for Stone’s Abigail comes into focus, as does the intriguing commentary on the volatile mix of political power games with romance and relationships.

7

The Lobster (2015)

The deadpan delivery of this disturbing dystopia is darkly witty and effectively creepy but starts to wear a little thin near the middle–but then in a brilliant move, the madness reaches its blood-on-the-bathroom-floor pinnacle, someone breaks (emotionally and literally, making a break for it), the pendulum swings, and the weird world is expanded. Strikingly shot and scored, this film raises fascinating questions on relationships and identity. Could’ve done without most of the narration though.

9