The Favourite - 10 nominations

Best Picture, Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos

Actress in a Leading Role, Olivia Colman
Actress in a Supporting Role, Emma Stone
Actress in a Supporting Role, Rachel Weisz
Cinematography, Robbie Ryan
Costume Design, Sandy Powell
Directing, Yorgos Lanthimos
Film Editing, Yorgos Mavropsaridis
Production Design, Fiona Crombie (Production Design); Alice Felton (Set Decoration)
Writing (Original Screenplay), Written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara

GIRRRRRLLLLLLL FIIIIIIIIIIGGGGHHHHHHTTTTTT!

England is at war and Queen Anne is ill with spiraling mental health.  Her childhood friend and lady lover Lady Sarah has positioned herself as the Queen's bestie, her spokesperson, and the de facto head of government.  They are as close as two women could be, and Lady Sarah is the sole person in Anne's life who speaks truth to power.  Sarah's cousin Abigail arrives on scene in search of employment having lived through severe abuse and loss of status and wealth.  Sarah takes pity on Abigail and finds for her a place in court, but not a great place.  Abigail is no dummy, and her manipulative ways get her in good with the Queen, at her service in - ahem - every way.  The two women vie for Anne's affections and for the power that comes with being the Queen's favorite.

The performances in this film are so good, but Olivia Colman is an incredible standout.  Without a word, she goes from elation to exasperation to sadness to despair.  She is easily manipulated and insightful and wise.  To see Colman win this nomination as a long working but rarely leading actor, it reflects the best of what The Academy can do with a truly exceptional performance.  Her always good peers in Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are very nearly dwarfed by Colman's Anne.

Of course with period pieces, well done costumes and production design are almost destined for nomination, but I highly recommend paying attention to both when watching the film.  The designs are gorgeous but also intricate and clever.  So much so that you leave the film with a premonition of Oscars noms.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Yorgos Lanthimos movies are not for everyone.  They are always a little bit twisted and sometimes very weird.  I discovered Lanthimos with his first Oscar nomination with the Greek film Dogtooth.  (SEE IT.)  I continued my devotion with The Lobster, and this film completes the perfect trifecta.  The Favourite is the most mainstream of his narrative films, but his signature strange peeks through.  If you're a Lanthimos person, you'll love this film.  I sure did.