With the Golden Globe and SAG nominations announced, it was time to start the movie marathon. Although not all will be considered for the Oscars, the nominations are fairly good predictors.
First up was The Favourite, a look at the reign of Queen Anne of England, Sarah Churchill, her trusted friend, and Abigail Masham, a conniving ex-aristocrat who weasels her way into palace life. Sarah unsuspectingly allows Abigail to become a part of Anne's life as a servant, but soon realizes that Abigail has many ulterior motives. Men do have a part of the movie, but the strength of the film lies in the acting of the three women.
Really enjoyed the historic part of this movie and can understand why it would not appeal to everyone. There is satire that requires a knowledge of the history.
Cast
Olivia Colman
as Queen Anne
Emma Stone
as Abigail Hill
Rachel Weisz
as Sarah Churchill
Nicholas Hoult
as Robert Harley
Joe Alwyn
as Samuel Masham
Mark Gatiss
as John Churchill
Director
Yorgos Lanthimos
It is interesting to see a film of events that happened in your lifetime. Battle of the Sexes chronicles the events leading up to the historic tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. I can remember watching this in 1973, but never was aware of how it all came to be. Super performances by Emma Stone and Steve Carell. It is so depressing to remember and see how not much has changed in the equal pay for all arena. Billie Jean set out to remedy the inequalities of the tennis world and ended up speaking on behalf of all women as she spurned the Lawn Tennis Association and founded with her husband, Larry King, the WTA. The inception of her relationship with her hairdresser, Marilyn Barnett, added a layer of complication to the procuring of sponsorships. A lesbian affair would not have been accepted by most of the population. The movie is more the BJK story and less the BR one. He is, for the most part, a washed up player, addicted to gambling and looking for the "next best thing." I bristled at the male chauvinistic remarks, realizing that I have heard similar recently.
Cast
-
Emma Stone
as Billie Jean King
-
Steve Carell
as Bobby Riggs
-
Andrea Riseborough
as Marilyn Barnett
-
Sarah Silverman
as Gladys Heldman
-
Alan Cumming
as Ted Tinling
Director
- Jonathan Dayton
- Valerie Faris
