BY JOHN CAMPBELL
THE FAVOURITE With The Lobster (2015) having brained it on the art-house circuit, Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos is currently the Big Thing among cinephiles. This sumptuous drama, set at the court of England’s Queen Anne (1702–1704), has showered his growing reputation with more bouquets, but I found the movie, though glorious to the eye, not quite infinitely boring and self-conscious. It has the overweening ‘look at me’ aura of the filmmaker who wants to impress – and he does impress, with every perfect frame, make no mistake – but let’s be honest: if you’re talking about the style rather than the content for long after the credits have rolled the satisfaction is only fleeting. The story concerns a cold and calculating contest for the Queen’s favour between Anne’s lover and confidante, Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), and her younger cousin, Abigail (Emma Stone). Both women involve themselves in the major political question of the time – whether or not to raise taxes to further prosecute the war with France – but it is the subtle but voracious manner in which Abigail connives to usurp the increasingly peeved Lady Sarah that Lanthimos is more concerned with. Weisz and Stone are excellent in their own way, but I reckon you can see them acting, whereas Olivia
Colman is superb and entirely convincing as the lame, grieving monarch (she had suffered seventeen failed pregnancies). Locations and interiors (Hatfield House, Hertfordshire) are splendidly photographed by Robbie Ryan, but the real star of the show is the legendary costume designer Sandy Powell. The meticulously detailed frocks, for both ladies and gents, provide a pleasing contrast to the carnality of the period and if Lanthimos luxuriates in the grunge of a brothel scene and finds under-graduate pleasure in colouring his dialogue with the c-word, it at least smacks of authenticity. It is the sort of movie that you can watch, thinking ‘I know it’s good, so why am I not won over by it?’ Relief was my primary emotion at its close.
VICE If nothing else, this disturbing and alarmingly factual movie gives an insight into the origins of ISIS, the emergence of Trump, and the whole impenetrable mess that the planet is in today. Dick Cheney, played by a physically transformed Christian Bale, was George W Bush’s vice-president from 2001 to 2009, during which time he established himself as the man who wielded power in Washington. From his beginnings as a drunken yobbo in Wyoming, Cheney matures as an amoral, pragmatic, and shrewd politician, but he is also shown to be fiercely protective of his family when he staunchly defends his lesbian daughter. Despite my prejudices, as he is presented here, I found it hard to think of of him as Satan. Director Adam McKay’s background is in writing comedy, often in collaboration with Will Ferrell, so it should not surprise that there is a strong element of the quirky and satirical – the scene in which Dubya (Sam Rockwell), with drumstick
in hand, offers Cheney the gig as VP would be hilarious if it weren’t so chilling. Nor is McKay above gimmickry – the identity of the narrator who charts Cheney’s career is revealed through a bizarre surprise; there is a false, happy-ever-after ending, with credits included; and at one point, after the narrator has told us we cannot possibly know the Cheneys’ motivations, Dick and Lynne (Amy Adams) are seen in bed speaking conspiratorial lines from Macbeth. The decision to bomb Iraq rather than Afghanistan after 9/11 because ‘there are better targets’ seems horribly authentic. The tone might verge on flippancy, but somehow it feels perfectly appropriate for events that have resulted in western democracy running off the rails. It’s a scathing indictment of ambition and greed in US politics, but it is kept afloat by wit and brilliant performances from Bale, Adams, and Rockwell. With cherry-picked gems from archival footage – MONDAY 14TH JANUARY Ronald Reagan campaigning 1&+(Ye K ha\]jeYf2 Aflg L`] to ‘make America great again’ Spider Verse in the 80s – this is pop culture ))&,-Ye CmkYeY2 AfÚ falq )&)-he Colette as high art.
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STARS BY LILITH
2019’S ASTRAL SIGNATURE SEES TECHORIENTED URANUS CHANGING THE WORLD OF MONEY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, WHILE BIG-PICTURE JUPITER UNDERLINES HOW EVERYTHING ON, UNDER, AND ABOVE THE EARTH IS INEXTRICABLY INTERCONNECTED…
ARIES: While last year probably unearthed the secret fears – even Aries have them – hindering you from living at your authentic best, 2019 launches full pelt into dismantling these blocks. Note to self: connections with fellow fire signs Leo and Sagittarius are tipped to be especially profitable and successful this year. TAURUS: Size matters to Taurans, who admire largesse, but this excessive year calls for embracing the concept that less is more, because your personal pitfall’s overdoing it: overworking, overindulging, overcommitting. Lavish this super-size energy instead on cultivating a serene mind, calm heart, and relaxed body. Picture yourself lying in a wild garden, smelling roses… often. GEMINI: With Jupiter in your partnering zone for 2019, connections become less about surface dazzle, more focused on mutual interests and shared values. While Outer Twin enjoys even more than the usual variety of new experiences, it’s important to remember that rest, recovery, and reflection are also essential parts of a rewarding and worthwhile life. CANCER: If, as pop online philosophy suggests, people are in your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, 2019 sorts out who’s who and what’s what. Finger-in-the-socket Mars and footloose Jupiter are certainly conspiring to conduct this week’s dance moves towards joining forces with inspired and positive others. LEO: You’ll definitely need to keep an eye on the incomings/outgoings ratio in this year of the big spender, Majesties. Which surely won’t be boring with solo Leos likely to be the party everyone wants an invitation to, while paired pussycats could experience a delightfully spicy reboot of second honeymoon magic.
VIRGO: You’re already prepped to deal with this year’s economic variations, so focus on personal and social rituals. Create a healing sanctuary, an oasis of calm with whatever nourishes your senses: crystals are particularly in tune with your earth sign. Spend regular time there meditating, reading, listening to music, contemplating nature… LIBRA: Two is always a magic number for you Venusians, and this year’s no different. With Venus currently in your sector of polished communications, express yourself – but edit first. Don’t be shy about advertising what you have. Want to ask for a raise or a favour? The force is with you. SCORPIO: With Mars in rule-breaking mode you mightn’t feel like colouring inside the lines. And Venus is in a very adventurous mood for romantic interactions, though perhaps not particularly dependable where affections and promises are concerned – which could be useful prep for when next month’s interpersonal antics get even more variable. SAGITTARIUS: Frisky Venus aligned with Jupiter in Sagittarius suggests you could sell anyone anything and you’ll have them at hello. But so much propulsive energy needs discipline, direction, and while you might fight it, reining in. This whole year’s about seeing where you can be more truthful, and this week someone older, wiser, and more experienced might have answers. CAPRICORN: Three eclipses in Capricorn this year provide pivot points for personal growth, while celestial heavyweight Saturn in your sign favours specialisation, along with upgrading your brand, updating your image, and undertaking some judicious restructuring so you’re fully prepped for takeoff when Jupiter hits the jackpot in your sign come December. AQUARIUS: This year of relationship reality checks will benefit immeasurably from a long, honest, eyes-wide-open look at yourself in connection with others. What you have to offer. What’s being offered to you. And naturally such intense introspection needs the balance of soul-reviving time out to love and laugh, relax and play, starting this week… PISCES: While there’s a plethora of new opportunities to engage with creative collectives, the major directive accompanying this year’s transits is to be very sensitive about boundaries. It’s worth making the effort to feel out and be aware of other people’s – and if you’re not sure, ask.
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