Elizabeth - B+ / Elizabeth, The Golden Age - B

Elizabeth - On DVD (1998). Rated R. 123 minutes. Trailer.

It has been a long time since 10th grade history, so my recollection of 16th century England was a little cloudy as I began this one. This film picks up on the eve of Elizabeth's (Cate Blanchett) unlikely and uncertain ascension to Queen of England. England is mired in a religious war pitting protestants against catholics (how 'Iraq' of them), and Elizabeth's protestantism has made her a target. She is introduced as a girlish fair haired woman in love with the slimy Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes).

She is then whisked away once her sister, Queen Mary dies, and her transformation from girl to queen begins. She relies on the sage and Rovian Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) for her protection as her fledling reign gets its footing. The main conflict in the film is with England's rival, Spain, and Elizabeth's refusal to get married to any of the royals from other countries and produce an heir.

The film is shot beautifully by Shekhar Kapur, a Bollywood director venturing into Hollywood. Cate Blanchett deserved her Best Actress Oscar for this performance, as the powerful and fiery queen. I was expecting much more than I got, and though I enjoyed it, I wasn't blown away.


Elizabeth, The Golden Age. In theaters. Rated R. 114 minutes. Trailer.

The trailer for this one is the best of this year, with its stunning visuals, epic storyline and stirring music. The film doesn't come close to living up that promise, but manages a serviceable sequel to the original. Blanchett and Rush reprise their roles and Clive Owen joins the fray as the virile and 'mysterious' explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.

This film picks up on the eve of the invasion of England by King Philip of Spain and his famous Armada. Elizabeth is still unmarried and being constantly pursued by her advisors and various odd suitors from the European royal families. She is in command of her country now, and is comfortable as the moderate secular queen that is insistent upon the coexistence of the protestants and catholics. The first act is really goofy, and the tone jumps the tracks to some weird whimsical and campy comedy. Inside jokes between a queen and her hand maidens isn't my idea of comedy.

The second act is better, with the introduction of Clive Owen, who the Queen immediately is attracted to. She falls for him in spite of herself, and her agony is real and well done. His character is one-dimensional, kind of like a cool-kid Jack Sparrow without the eyeliner. The third act, as it shifts the more epic battle film that the trailer advertised is very strong.

The visuals in the film are amazing. Several shots are worth framing and putting in a gallery. Blanchett is worthy of another Oscar nomination, and the art direction is first rate.

The most interesting parts of both of these movies was the background of the religious conflict. I've never been more appreciative of the founding fathers and their insistence on the separation of church and state.