No, Elton John’s music does not appear in Yorgos Lanthimos’s period drama, The Favourite. The film deliberately eschews popular or recognizable contemporary music in favor of a score built around Baroque and contemporary classical pieces, creating a stark and often unsettling atmosphere.
The Absence of Popular Music: A Deliberate Choice
The Favourite is renowned for its unconventional approach to historical storytelling. From its fisheye lens cinematography to its darkly comedic script and morally ambiguous characters, Lanthimos consistently subverts expectations. The soundtrack is no exception. Instead of the predictably sweeping orchestral scores often associated with period dramas, Lanthimos opted for a carefully curated collection of pieces that often clash with the on-screen action, creating a jarring, almost subversive, effect. This is a conscious choice to move away from romanticized portrayals of the past and embrace a more visceral and honest depiction of courtly life.
The absence of familiar, popular music, especially that of a prominent British artist like Elton John, further underscores this deliberate rejection of conventional cinematic tropes. The film aims to disorient the viewer, forcing them to confront the uncomfortable truths of power dynamics, manipulation, and human desire. Using iconic pop music, regardless of its quality, would have undermined this effect, grounding the film in a recognizable present and diminishing its impact.
Delving into the Soundtrack: Beyond the Expected
The musical choices in The Favourite are far from random. They reflect the film’s themes of power, control, and emotional turmoil. The selected pieces, often stark and minimalist, amplify the sense of unease and claustrophobia that pervades the film. The soundtrack is designed to challenge the viewer, not to provide a comfortable or predictable experience.
Featured Composers and Pieces
The soundtrack prominently features works by composers such as:
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Known for his complex and deeply emotional compositions.
- George Frideric Handel: A contemporary of Queen Anne, Handel’s music was popular during the period depicted in the film. However, Lanthimos doesn’t employ his most recognizable, grand pieces.
- Luciano Berio: A 20th-century composer known for his avant-garde and often unsettling soundscapes.
- Anna Meredith: A contemporary British composer whose work often blends classical and electronic elements, providing a modern edge to the soundtrack.
The use of contemporary classical music, particularly pieces by Berio and Meredith, serves to disrupt the historical setting, reminding the viewer that the themes explored in the film are timeless and universal. This contrast between the historical visuals and the modern soundtrack reinforces the film’s message about the enduring nature of human ambition and the corrupting influence of power.
Impact on the Narrative
The music in The Favourite isn’t merely background noise. It actively participates in the storytelling. For example, moments of heightened tension are often accompanied by dissonant chords or jarring instrumental sounds, reflecting the inner turmoil of the characters. Quiet, reflective scenes may feature more melancholic and contemplative pieces, drawing the viewer into the characters’ emotional states. The soundtrack is a crucial element in creating the film’s distinctive and unforgettable atmosphere.
FAQs About The Favourite’s Music
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the musical landscape of The Favourite:
FAQ 1: Who composed the original score for The Favourite?
The Favourite does not feature an original score in the traditional sense. Instead, the film utilizes a carefully curated selection of pre-existing classical and contemporary classical pieces. There isn’t a single composer credited with creating a new score specifically for the film.
FAQ 2: Why did Lanthimos choose classical music over a traditional film score?
Lanthimos’s choice reflects his desire to subvert expectations and create a unique cinematic experience. Classical music, particularly the more dissonant and experimental pieces, contributes to the film’s unsettling and often jarring atmosphere, highlighting the dark humor and moral ambiguity of the story.
FAQ 3: Does the soundtrack album include all the music featured in the film?
Yes, a soundtrack album was released, and it features a representative selection of the music used in the film. However, it may not include every single piece in its entirety due to licensing and timing constraints.
FAQ 4: Are there any popular songs or well-known melodies in The Favourite?
No, the film intentionally avoids popular songs and well-known melodies. The focus is on creating a specific mood and atmosphere through less familiar classical and contemporary classical compositions.
FAQ 5: Is there any diegetic music (music originating within the film’s world) in The Favourite?
There are limited instances of diegetic music, such as musicians playing instruments during courtly gatherings. However, these instances are often brief and subtle, serving primarily to enhance the realism of the historical setting. They are not a prominent feature of the overall soundtrack.
FAQ 6: How does the music contribute to the film’s overall tone and theme?
The music plays a crucial role in establishing the film’s unsettling and darkly comedic tone. It underscores the themes of power, manipulation, and the inherent absurdity of human behavior. The contrast between the historical setting and the often-dissonant music reinforces the film’s message about the timeless nature of these themes.
FAQ 7: Did the filmmakers consider using music from the actual era in which the film is set?
While music from the era, like Handel’s, is present, it’s not used in a purely historical or celebratory way. Instead, pieces are chosen for their ability to enhance the film’s themes and create a specific emotional impact, often juxtaposing them with more modern classical compositions.
FAQ 8: Where can I find a complete list of the music used in The Favourite?
Several online resources, such as film music databases and soundtrack websites, provide detailed lists of the music featured in The Favourite. A simple web search for “The Favourite soundtrack listing” will yield numerous results.
FAQ 9: How did the music direction of The Favourite differ from other period dramas?
The Favourite departs significantly from the typical period drama score, which often relies on sweeping orchestral arrangements and romanticized melodies. Lanthimos’s use of stark, often dissonant, classical music creates a much more unsettling and unconventional experience.
FAQ 10: Did Anna Meredith, the contemporary composer, create new pieces specifically for the film?
While it’s not explicitly stated that Anna Meredith created entirely new pieces specifically for the film, her existing work was carefully selected and integrated into the soundtrack to create a modern edge. Her unique blend of classical and electronic elements contributed significantly to the film’s overall sound.
FAQ 11: What is the overall effect of the music on the audience’s experience of the film?
The music in The Favourite aims to disorient and challenge the audience, rather than providing a comfortable or predictable viewing experience. It encourages viewers to question the romanticized portrayals of history and to confront the uncomfortable truths about power and human nature.
FAQ 12: Is the absence of recognizable music a common feature in Yorgos Lanthimos’s films?
Yes, Lanthimos often employs unconventional and unsettling musical choices in his films, reflecting his broader artistic vision of challenging cinematic conventions and exploring complex and often uncomfortable themes. This is a recurring stylistic element in his filmography.
A Soundtrack as a Character
In conclusion, the absence of Elton John’s music, and popular music in general, from The Favourite is a deliberate and significant artistic choice. The meticulously chosen soundtrack, featuring a blend of Baroque and contemporary classical pieces, serves not just as background ambience, but as a vital component of the film’s narrative, tone, and thematic exploration. The music actively shapes the viewer’s experience, contributing to the film’s unsettling atmosphere and challenging conventional notions of historical storytelling. The soundtrack functions almost as another character, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to an already captivating film.