Thank you for being patient and Olivia Colman in The Favourite
— by Alyson Walsh
Oh, the ups and downs of the internet. Unfortunately, due to a minor technical glitch That’s Not My Age was offline over the weekend. This kind of experience is incredibly frustrating but the issue is now resolved and I’ve taken measures to ensure it won’t happen again; so thank you for being patient and for your support whilst I sorted it out. Apologies to everyone who couldn’t visit the site as usual. But thank goodness, a new week is here, a new year is here and That’s Not My Age is back online! (If you missed my post on Friday about Stylish Women Over-50, you can find it HERE.)
In other notable weekend happenings, last night Olivia Colman won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Motion Picture for her role in the film The Favourite and is trending online for her bonkers but brilliant acceptance speech. I saw The Favourite last week, and she’s superb alongside Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone as the emotionally brittle Queen Anne in a tale of courtly intrigue which is based on the true story of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (played wonderfully by Weisz) competing with her cousin Baroness Abigail Masham (played by Stone) for the monarch’s favours. It’s a boisterous and bawdy comedy and the perfect start to the awards-season (this is the best time of year for cinema-goers like myself). Watching the acceptance speech reminded me to share these stunning Vanity Fair images of Olivia Colman – the modern gentlewoman styling is outstanding, too.
All rise for Queen Colman (also wonderful in Andrew Davies’ Les Misérables and coming soon as Queen Elizabeth in the new series of The Crown).
Discussion (37 Comments)
Wendy in York says:
Always admired her acting but after watching ‘ Who Do You Think You Are ? ‘ , I like her as a person too . So natural & unactressy . Good that she is getting the awards she deserves .
Oh I missed that, wonder if I can find it on iPlayer….
Catriona says:
Definitely try and find the episode of ‘Who do you think you are?’ Olivia Colman was so moved by the plight of her female ancestor, it is a tremendously uplifting piece of telly. Well remembered ‘Wendy in York’
Oh, just love her! And she was SO good in The Favorite. Congratulations on the mention, well-deserved!
Gretchen Wyatt says:
I do love her – I think she’s a phenomenal actor, and by all accounts, a terrific person. The Favourite has been on my watch list for ages (planned outings keep getting rescheduled – enough! I’m going alone since all my people can’t get their act together!), and I’m eagerly awaiting the new season of The Crown. I love that she’s expressly said she reaches out to Claire Foy to get her advice. That’s an elegant woman.
Gretchen says:
I do love her – I think she’s a phenomenal actor, and by all accounts, a terrific person. The Favourite has been on my watch list for ages (planned outings keep getting rescheduled – enough! I’m going alone since all my people can’t get their act together!), and I’m eagerly awaiting the new season of The Crown. I love that she’s expressly said she reaches out to Claire Foy to get her advice. That’s an elegant woman.
I love that, too, Gretchen. Thanks for elegantly sharing.
Mrs Tonia says:
I have always enjoyed the acting skills of Olivia Colman. Like Alyson I saw The Favourite before the awards announcements today. She is excellent in this ribald and bawdy film, as are the two co-stars Rachel Weisz and a surprisingly good Emma Stone. All feature in this month, February issue of Vogue with Stone as cover girl in an interview. She moves effortlessly from her usual Valley girl demeanour to sounding like a public schoolgirl with perfect diction. Congratulations on her win to Olivia Colman. And congratulations are in order to Glenn Close for her role in The Wife. Alyson profiled her when that film opened months ago. I found it very powerful and impressive. Great that she is getting this recognition now at this stage in a distinguished career. At around the age of seventy too.
If you are watching Les Misérables the new dramatisation on BBC by Andrew Davies without any musical interludes the role of Mme Thenadier is played by Olivia Colman, cast as a spiteful shrewish and manipulative inn keeper. She seems unafraid and indeed relishing these roles. I can’t wait to see her play Queen Elizabeth 11 in the third series of The Crown later this year.
May she flourish in the forthcoming awards season. Bafta nominations and Oscar nominations coming soon.
maudie says:
I haven’t seen The Favourite yet as, to be honest, I didn’t fancy the look of it – maybe I was totally wrong!!! I saw Disobedience with Rachel Weisz and that was fantastic. I am off to the Curzon this week to see Colette – will report back as I am not convinced that Keira Knightley is the best casting for the part. (Gretchen – NOTHING is nicer than going to the cinema on your own – especially in the middle of the day – Divine Decadence!). TNMA offline was a bit of a drama – I missed my daily fix. Glad that you are un-glitched and up and running again. Happy New Year everyone.
@Maudie I saw Widows at The Curzon (Mayfair – lots of drama in the lobby there as they had installed fancy new table lamps in the screening room but it make everyone very HOT and bothered… all demanding refunds!) and saw The Favourite and Colette in the trailers. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know who Oliva Colman was. Cue Mr DRG loudly hissing ‘yes you DO! You DO!’ I think Colette looks good, despite Keira’s pouty portrayal. The costumes are fab obv! Please report back!
Liking the styling of Ms Colman here, I think those are the black version of my fave Church’s shoes! P.S, omg Alyson WHAT A TECH NIGHTMARE for you 🙁
The styling is very, DRG. Didn’t you see Peep Show or Broadchurch?! Tech nightmare to be discussed next time I see you (something to look forward to!)
Ann in Missouri says:
I saw “The Favourite” yesterday with a good girlfriend and her husband. My friend and I loved it! And yes, the three actresses are all magnificent in this film.
Now, are you ready for this? In the middle of the movie, the husband stood up and left the theater to Uber home, muttering “Tedious!” as he crawled over us toward the aisle. LOL! If you haven’t seen the film yet, you may not understand his inability to sit still watching the film.
Dudes. I swear.
Sarah says:
Happy new year Alyson and all of your fab commentators! Looking forward to another year of being inspired here when the rest of the world is sliding inexorably towards shit!
Wow Ann, that’s hilarious. I cannot see anything tedious about strong female leads, fabulous costumes, story line bouncing exuberantly from comedy to pathos and beautiful cinematography!
Mrs Tonia says:
Ann I’m very amused by your comments About men and this film. Knew my hubby wouldn’t like. And recommended to my sister in law but without her hubby.
An all female cast clearly having fun is reflected in the relaxed excellent performances.
Read today in Telegraph newspaper of all places while I sipped my flat white in a cafe that Olivia Colman is now getting the acclaim she deserves. Maybe more nominations and awards to follow. Need to catch up by reading her comments and reference to her fellow co-stars. Fruity language maybe. And why not share her joy at recognition. She looked her cool in her designer gown too.
MaureenC says:
Really looking forward to seeing it and what great outfits in the pictures above!
MaureenC says:
Really looking forward to seeing it and what great outfits in the pictures above!
Lesley says:
She is ARORABLE. Loved her in Broadchurch. That navy suit is fantastic, as are the shoes, although I worry how they’d look on my gigantic feet.
Loved her in Broadchurch. I know I won’t like Favourite – not a fan of that genre, but I think she’s an outstanding actress.
Anna says:
Olivia Coleman is definitely one of my favourites! She is so versatile, down to earth and normal! Long may she reign!
Not sure about the Vanity Fair dressing her up in mannish clothes like a Talking Heads extra though.
Monty says:
Not only is she an amazing actor but she is also amazing in these wonderful outfits!!
Josanne says:
Loved Olivia also in Broadchurch and so happy she won the Golden Globe award. I did see The Favourite over Xmas with my sister, it certainly had some funny and strange moments but loved the female leads. I can’t get the image of the chubby, naked man dogging fruit being thrown at him. LOL
Oh no, I’d erased that image from my mind, Josanne….
Fabulous actress – now need to watch the film
I bloody love her! Always have, always will but I’m not a fan of period drama. The Brits love it, love their Royals and all the history so much they keep re-writing it movie after movie
OC is a hoot and cries like no other, a genius actor in any genre.Mrs Tonia says:
Wonderful costumes, jewellery and hairstyles, wigs, in The Favourite by costume designer Sandy Powell. British award winning designer.
I’m sure thick pearl chokers and baroque pearl drop earrings will come roaring back into fashion now.Dianne says:
I first discovered Olivia Coleman in the “original”, British Broadchurch and was moved by her character – she made that show so much more than a good mystery (David Tennant no slouch either). What a superb actress! And no “acting” when she is being her own intelligent, warm and wonderfully quirky self. She’s an inspiration – so right that she is getting lots of praise and recognition – and work! Looking forward to seeing The Favourite.
I loved Olivia Coleman the other night in her acceptance speech. She’s so real and unpretentious and these Vanity Fair photos take advantage of that quality so well. Thanks for featuring her! Brenda
Nicola says:
Love love LOVE Olivia Colman and I’m thrilled she got the GG. I haven’t seen the film, and will now probably go with girl friends having read the above comments, and leave my OH at home! She is superb in everything but I remember seeing her in a series with John Simm and Jim Broadbent in which she played a woman caring for her father who had dementia. She completely nailed the loving despair and frustration one might feel in those circumstances. Whenever I’ve seen her on chat shows she seems like a really funny, down to earth and intelligent woman- I hope this awards allows us to see more of her on screen.
michele says:
I know I’m in the minority with The Favourite, although each actress did a good job, I hated the movie. I wanted to walk out about a third of the way through. Just seemed laboured in telling the story. If it didnt cost so much I would have left.
Rach with an E says:
I had the luxury of seeing three films between Christmas and New Year. The Favourite was outstanding not only for the female leads but also the costumes. Although an extraordinary actor, Colman comes across as ordinary in real life and someone you could have a rip roaring night with in the pub of an evening. My judge of character – could you have a good night in a local pub with he? judi Dench, yes; Mariah Carey; no.
Tiffany says:
I love her and I loved The Favourite, even if the trailers made it seem like it would be entirely light comedy rather than pretty black. And doesn’t she look fab with that short hair!?
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I haven’t seen the film, but I sure will now. Her acceptance speech… what a hoot!