Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Shekhar Kapur's follow up to his first Elizabeth film, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, has not gotten good reviews. But I am very interested in the subject matter (history, The Spanish Armada) and I like the cast so I went to see it. And boy am I glad that I did. It is a splendid film.
This part of Elizabeth's (Cate Blanchett) history takes place during the period of time when King Philip II of Spain (Jordi Molla) wants to invade England and make it a Spanish country. This is when the bloody Inquisition was in full force. Elizabeth is still surrounded by her loyal confidante Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush). But she has a new alley in Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). Or at least she wants him to be one. But Sir Walter would rather spend his time on a ship sailing around the new world. And Sir Walter also has his eye on the Queen's favorite handmaiden Bess (Abbie Cornish). Also added into the mix is Elizabeth's cousin Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton) who is a Catholic and considered a great traitor.
The battle scenes during the Spanish Armada are spectacular. The production values are amazing. The whole cast is good but Blanchett stands out. She is definitely one of the best actresses working today. I do wish that the fantastic Rush had more to do in the film. And I wish that Molla was in the film more (of note - Molla spoke his part only in his native Spanish).
Yes, Elizabeth: The Golden Age does play fast and loose with some historical facts. But it is a feature film and not a documentary. It is totally absorbing and entertaining. So if you like historical films that look great and contain some wonderful acting I suggest that you forget what the critics say and check this film out.
This part of Elizabeth's (Cate Blanchett) history takes place during the period of time when King Philip II of Spain (Jordi Molla) wants to invade England and make it a Spanish country. This is when the bloody Inquisition was in full force. Elizabeth is still surrounded by her loyal confidante Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush). But she has a new alley in Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). Or at least she wants him to be one. But Sir Walter would rather spend his time on a ship sailing around the new world. And Sir Walter also has his eye on the Queen's favorite handmaiden Bess (Abbie Cornish). Also added into the mix is Elizabeth's cousin Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton) who is a Catholic and considered a great traitor.
The battle scenes during the Spanish Armada are spectacular. The production values are amazing. The whole cast is good but Blanchett stands out. She is definitely one of the best actresses working today. I do wish that the fantastic Rush had more to do in the film. And I wish that Molla was in the film more (of note - Molla spoke his part only in his native Spanish).
Yes, Elizabeth: The Golden Age does play fast and loose with some historical facts. But it is a feature film and not a documentary. It is totally absorbing and entertaining. So if you like historical films that look great and contain some wonderful acting I suggest that you forget what the critics say and check this film out.
posted by Film Fanatic | 2:23 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home