TL;DR
Revisiting Yorgos Lanthimos' "The Favourite" on Blu-ray reveals a film that, while stronger than "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," still has its issues. The signature wide-angle lens, once subtle, becomes distracting on home video, sometimes resembling GoPro footage. Natural lighting creates atmospheric grain, echoing "Barry Lyndon," and the DTS-HD audio is serviceable but unremarkable. The Blu-ray offers a documentary and deleted scenes, though the former loses steam with generic praise. Despite these critiques, the film's strengths are undeniable, and the 1080p Blu-ray is the best way to experience it currently. Curious to see if Lanthimos' upcoming Western hits the mark? Read on for the full breakdown!
Having previously reviewed The Favourite in its theatrical release, this review focuses on the Blu-ray edition.
Since my initial viewing of The Favourite, I have also seen director Yorgos Lanthimos’ film The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017). In retrospect, The Favourite emerges as the stronger film. While The Lobster (2015) unfolds in an alternate, absurdist world, and The Killing of a Sacred Deer features similarly unhinged characters, the latter’s premise falters due to the lack of consequence for their actions within the established reality. This ultimately undermines the narrative’s believability.
The Favourite employs natural lighting and a distinctive wide-angle lens aesthetic. During my first viewing in a cinema’s front row, the wide-angle effect was less pronounced. However, upon re-watching the film on Blu-ray, the effect was significantly more distracting and, regrettably, detracted from the overall production value. At times, the cinematography resembled that of a Go-Pro. While the intention might have been to provide a comprehensive view, the execution proved less than ideal. Furthermore, some sequences exhibit noticeable grain due to the reliance on natural and candlelight, reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon (1975). The DTS-HD audio track is adequate, though the film does not demand an exceptionally powerful soundscape. Dialogue and music are well-balanced and serve their purpose effectively. As The Favourite lacks a 4K release, the standard Full HD 1080p Blu-ray represents the optimal format currently available.
The disc includes a 22-minute documentary which initially provides valuable insight into the film’s production. However, it devolves into generic praise (“he’s the best,” “she’s the best,” “everyone is the best”), ultimately becoming promotional and losing its appeal. The release also features a collection of short, deleted scenes.
In conclusion, my initial rating from the theatrical showing remains consistent. While I have since viewed a Lanthimos film that I consider weaker, The Favourite still exhibits certain shortcomings. Nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate the director’s upcoming Western, Pop. 1280. This project holds the potential to be exceptionally compelling and perhaps reach the creative heights of The Lobster.
