In the early 1700’s Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) rules England. But it is her closest friend in the Royal Court who tells her how, until that is her favour is challenged by a new servant.

Yorgos Lanthimos period drama features a swathe of brilliant performances, hilariously sharp wit and some bravura artistic choices. With only a couple of minor faults it’s already a front-runner for the favourite film of the year (I couldn’t help myself).

Let’s start with the performances. Olivia Colman is currently hot favourite for best actress at this years Oscars for her turn as Queen Anne and it’s not hard to see why. She gives a nuanced performance that displays the arrested development of a woman with absolute power whilst also showing her fragile and funny side. Watching her scream at a footman for looking at her is hilarious. The two women battling to be her favourite are not far behind though. Rachel Weisz plays her lifelong confidante Lady Sarah as a steely woman but it is also clear that she loves the Queen. Whilst Emma Stone plays Abigail whose motives are far from innocent. Nicholas Hoult also gets in on the action as Leader of the Opposition. Playing a manipulative dandy his scene where he faces off with Lady Sarah over land tax is great.

One of the main reasons for all these fantastic performances and the hilarious acerbic wit is of course the brilliant screenplay by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. There are so many sharp and witty lines flying around I suspect multiple viewings would uncover more funny moments.

And then we have the cinematography from Robbie Ryan and repetitive score that come into play to give it a unique look and sound. There are moments when a fish bowl lens is used in order to get a much larger portion of the room all in focus in the shot. I thought it worked brilliantly. It allows you to see the opulence of the rooms whilst giving a slightly off kilter view. Something that the Queen clearly has. It also features some beautiful shots of candle lit rooms reminiscent of Barry Lyndon.

My only minor gripes would be that it felt slightly overlong with the story struggling to find a natural satisfying end. Although that might perhaps be because I didn’t want it to end in the manner it did.

Overall though it is beautifully acted and sharply funny.