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Elizabeth: The Golden
Age
Directed by: Shekhar Kapur
Starring: Cate Blanchett
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 114 min.
Release Date:
October 2007
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN
AGE is a costume drama based on the factual life of Queen Elizabeth
I (played by Cate Blanchett,
THE GOOD GERMAN). Blanchett
reprises her role as the highly successful mother to a nation — England
— from the 1998 film, ELIZABETH.
With gorgeous costumes and scrumptious period locations, Elizabeth: The
Golden Age is a very successful film. The dizzying camera work helps
portray the immensity of the structures built for the times, and the
dark qualities of rooms during stormy nights or barbaric incarcerations
is shown exceptionally well.
The focus on this film (versus that of its predecessor) is on the time
of prosperity coming due for England as it comes out from under the
oppressive thumb of the overzealous Catholic King Philip II of Spain
(played by Jordi Molla) during the Spanish inquisition. The ultimate
destruction of Spain’s navy during a horrendous storm ushers in a time
of peace for England. Initially Elizabeth is besieged with matters that
demand her attention, all while loving vicariously through one of her
women in waiting, “Bess” (Abbie Cornish) who is enamored (as is the
Queen herself) with Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen,
SHOOT ‘EM UP).
Being able to reduce herself to a normal woman for even a brief moment
is an incredible pleasure to the Queen, and Sir Raleigh allows her these
moments whenever he’s around. But both know that they can never be
together; the Queen because of what’s required of her as a noblewoman;
and Raleigh because he’s basically a pirate with no royal blood. But
Raleigh gets as close as he dares by falling for Bess, and eventually
marrying her, much to the dismay of the Queen (who, although she knew
she and Raleigh could never be together, still dreamt of it).
The end of the Spanish armada signals the end of many things: the end of
threats from beyond the sea, the end of Elizabeth’s possible marriage
arrangements, the end of Mary Queen of Scots, and the end of any hopes
for a life with someone the likes of Raleigh. But it also heralded a
time of awesome prosperity during the incredibly long reign of one of
the most successful leaders of the free world.
Watching it, one can’t help but wonder what would’ve happened had the
Spanish fleet found purchase on the shores of England. Thankfully that
never happened and, as an American, I’m doubly glad for it.
This is a very well filmed historical costume drama with plenty of
outstanding performances and scenery. But it isn’t anything we haven’t
seen before (the aforementioned 1998 Elizabeth film is the prime
example). Although there’s plenty to look at, most viewers will probably
say, “Yeah. Seen it. Been there.”
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Image from Elizabeth: The
Golden Age
DVD cost: $10.88
Purchase:
Tower.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
The words Mary Queen of
Scots mouths before being executed are "I forgive you with all my
heart", said to be her last words, spoken to the executioner when he
asked her forgiveness.
Movie Quote: "By
God, England will not fall while I am Queen!"
Other Actors/Actresses
from Elizabeth: The Golden Age
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