The Favourite culminates not in a neatly tied resolution, but in a chillingly ambiguous power shift. Queen Anne, increasingly withdrawn and disengaged, is left visually isolated as Abigail Masham, now firmly in control, compels her to watch her pet rabbits multiply, a stark symbol of Anne’s own failed attempts at motherhood and a future she no longer dictates.
The Final Scene: A Portrait of Power and Isolation
The final moments of The Favourite are a masterclass in visual storytelling. Abigail, having manipulated her way into the Queen’s affections and gained immense power, stands triumphant, her hand resting possessively on Anne’s lap. This seemingly innocuous gesture belies the brutal truth: Abigail has effectively replaced Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, as Anne’s most trusted advisor and confidante.
However, the film doesn’t present Abigail’s victory as a purely positive one. The scene is permeated with a sense of unease. The close-up shots alternate between Abigail’s satisfied, almost predatory gaze and Anne’s increasingly distant and vulnerable expressions. Anne’s face, ravaged by grief and ill health, conveys a deep sense of isolation. The frantic multiplication of the rabbits, a constant visual motif throughout the film representing Anne’s seventeen lost children, underscores her enduring pain and the emptiness that fuels her vulnerability. The image solidifies a feeling of disquiet that lingers long after the credits roll.
The ending rejects a simplistic, triumphant narrative. Instead, it offers a complex and nuanced portrayal of power dynamics, highlighting the sacrifices and moral compromises made in the pursuit of influence. It leaves the audience questioning the true cost of Abigail’s ascent and the ultimate fate of Queen Anne, trapped in a gilded cage of her own making. The ambiguity is not a flaw, but a deliberate artistic choice that elevates the film beyond a simple historical drama, transforming it into a powerful meditation on ambition, manipulation, and the human condition.
Understanding the Ambiguity: Key Themes and Interpretations
The Favourite isn’t just a story of historical figures; it’s a exploration of universal themes:
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The Corrosive Nature of Power: The film demonstrates how the pursuit of power can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals. Both Abigail and Sarah, driven by ambition, engage in increasingly ruthless tactics, ultimately sacrificing their integrity and humanity.
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The Burden of Leadership: Queen Anne is depicted as a deeply flawed and vulnerable leader, burdened by grief and easily manipulated. Her inability to navigate the complexities of political life highlights the immense pressure and responsibility placed upon those in positions of power.
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The Shifting Sands of Relationships: The film underscores the fragility and instability of human relationships, particularly those built on manipulation and self-interest. The bonds between Anne, Sarah, and Abigail are constantly shifting, driven by personal gain and political maneuvering.
The ending can be interpreted in several ways:
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Abigail’s Pyrrhic Victory: While Abigail gains power, the film suggests that her victory may be hollow. She achieves her goals through deceit and manipulation, ultimately isolating herself from genuine human connection.
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Anne’s Ultimate Tragedy: Despite being a queen, Anne remains trapped by her grief and vulnerability. She is a pawn in the political games of those around her, forever haunted by the loss of her children.
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A Commentary on the Nature of History: The Favourite reminds us that history is often shaped by personal relationships and hidden agendas. The film questions the traditional narrative of grand political events, highlighting the importance of individual agency and the messy realities of human interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About The Favourite‘s Ending
Here are some common questions regarding the film’s conclusion, offering further insights and clarifying key aspects of the narrative:
FAQ 1: Does Abigail actually poison Sarah?
It’s never explicitly stated that Abigail poisons Sarah. However, circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that she is responsible. After Sarah discovers Abigail’s manipulative schemes and threatens to expose her, Abigail spikes Sarah’s tea with a substance that causes her to collapse. While the exact nature of the substance is unclear, the scene implies that Abigail intended to harm, or at least incapacitate, Sarah.
FAQ 2: What happens to Masham after the film ends?
The film doesn’t delve into the post-film fates of its characters. Historical records show that Abigail Masham remained a close confidante of Queen Anne until Anne’s death in 1714. However, after Anne’s death, the political landscape shifted dramatically, and Abigail’s influence waned significantly.
FAQ 3: Why does Anne make Abigail a Baroness?
Anne makes Abigail a Baroness primarily because Abigail has supplanted Sarah in Anne’s affections and trust. This elevation in social status not only solidifies Abigail’s position within the court but also serves as a deliberate slight to Sarah, highlighting Anne’s changed allegiances. The title symbolizes Abigail’s newfound power and influence over the Queen.
FAQ 4: Is the ending historically accurate?
The Favourite takes significant liberties with historical accuracy. While the core relationships between Anne, Sarah, and Abigail are rooted in historical fact, the film embellishes and fictionalizes many details for dramatic effect. The intense rivalry and the overtly sexual nature of the relationships are largely speculative, intended to create a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.
FAQ 5: What does the rabbit imagery symbolize?
The rabbits serve as a constant, poignant reminder of Queen Anne’s 17 failed pregnancies and the loss of her children. Each rabbit represents a child, symbolizing her grief, her longing for a heir, and her inability to fulfill her most basic maternal role. The rabbits highlight her vulnerability and the profound impact of loss on her mental and emotional state.
FAQ 6: Why does Abigail stare intensely at Anne at the end?
Abigail’s intense gaze at the end is a display of possessive control. She has achieved her ambition of becoming the Queen’s favourite, and her stare conveys a sense of triumph and dominance. However, it also hints at a deeper, potentially darker, motive, suggesting that she may see Anne more as a means to an end than as a person she genuinely cares for.
FAQ 7: Is there any romantic element to Anne’s relationship with Abigail?
The film strongly suggests a romantic and sexual component to Anne’s relationship with Abigail. While the exact nature of their physical intimacy is left somewhat ambiguous, the film hints at a deeper connection that goes beyond mere friendship or professional obligation. This is a significant departure from purely historical accounts.
FAQ 8: What is the significance of Sarah leaving court?
Sarah’s departure from court marks a major turning point in the film. It signifies the end of her influence over Anne and the beginning of Abigail’s ascent. Her forced exit underscores the volatile nature of power and the ruthlessness of courtly politics. It also leaves Anne vulnerable to Abigail’s manipulation.
FAQ 9: Does Anne truly love either Sarah or Abigail?
The film deliberately complicates the question of love. While Anne undoubtedly feels affection for both women, her feelings are often intertwined with her own needs and insecurities. It’s questionable whether she truly loves them in a selfless or unconditional way. Her relationships seem more driven by a need for companionship and control rather than genuine love.
FAQ 10: What is the political context of the ending?
The political context of the ending is crucial. The War of the Spanish Succession is a major backdrop, and the power struggle between Sarah, who favors continuing the war, and Abigail, who seeks peace, reflects the real-world political divisions of the time. Abigail’s rise coincides with a shift in political strategy towards peace negotiations, suggesting that her influence extends beyond personal relationships.
FAQ 11: Is The Favourite a feminist film?
Whether The Favourite is a feminist film is open to interpretation. On one hand, it centers on the lives and experiences of women in positions of power, challenging traditional narratives that prioritize male perspectives. On the other hand, the film depicts these women engaging in manipulative and ruthless behavior, raising questions about whether their actions ultimately advance feminist ideals. Ultimately, the film offers a complex and nuanced portrayal of female ambition and agency within a patriarchal society.
FAQ 12: What is the overall message of the film’s ending?
The overall message of The Favourite‘s ending is one of uncertain triumph and profound isolation. While Abigail achieves her ambition of becoming the Queen’s favourite, her victory is tainted by the means she employed to achieve it and the emotional toll it takes on her and Anne. The ending suggests that the pursuit of power often comes at a significant cost, leaving the characters trapped in a cycle of manipulation and loneliness. There is no clear winner, only varying degrees of loss and compromise. The film avoids simplistic conclusions, inviting audiences to grapple with the complexities of power, ambition, and human relationships.