"Elizabeth: The Golden Age" *** (out of ****)
As I began watching Shekhar Kapur's "Elizabeth:The Golden Age", I thought to myself, did we really sequel? I felt the original 1998 film, simply called "Elizabeth" was a fine film on it's own. There was really no need to continue upon the story. I hope we are not going to see a series of films about Queen Elizabeth I.
When watching this film, you can see both sides of the argument. This sequel is a much more mainstream, "watchable" version, compared to the first one. That is not a flaw, but, because of that, the film's topics are treated differently, so the film can have broad appeal.
There is a lot going on in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age". Some might argue too much. Much of the film revolves around the conflict between the Protestants and Catholics. Queen Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) is a Protestant. She is at war with King Philip of Spain (Jordi Molla). The people of England are by a majority Catholic. Several people feel the queen's cousin, Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton, completely wasted here) should be queen since she is a Catholic. The countries are about to engage in a "holy war" which even seems to have the blessing of the Pope.
As I began watching Shekhar Kapur's "Elizabeth:The Golden Age", I thought to myself, did we really sequel? I felt the original 1998 film, simply called "Elizabeth" was a fine film on it's own. There was really no need to continue upon the story. I hope we are not going to see a series of films about Queen Elizabeth I.
When watching this film, you can see both sides of the argument. This sequel is a much more mainstream, "watchable" version, compared to the first one. That is not a flaw, but, because of that, the film's topics are treated differently, so the film can have broad appeal.
There is a lot going on in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age". Some might argue too much. Much of the film revolves around the conflict between the Protestants and Catholics. Queen Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) is a Protestant. She is at war with King Philip of Spain (Jordi Molla). The people of England are by a majority Catholic. Several people feel the queen's cousin, Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton, completely wasted here) should be queen since she is a Catholic. The countries are about to engage in a "holy war" which even seems to have the blessing of the Pope.
Now normally that would be enough plot for a film. If it was handled in a serious manner. But, no. There are more sub-plots along the way. One of which involves the queen's relationship with a young explorer, Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). He seems quite taken by her. And she starts to feel the same way about him. But there is another. One of the queen's subjects, also named Elizabeth (Abbie Cornish) who has an eye on Raleigh.
This is what I believe slows the film down and where things start to go wrong. First of all, this situation between the three is treated as if it were a soap opera. The film takes serious themes and does not treat them in a serious way. It is not offensive, but, disappointing. I guess that's what has to happen when you try to make a mainstream film. It's hard to please everyone.
Blanchett, who won an Oscar first time around for this role, is once again watchable in the title role, but, this time around, because of the writing, it makes Queen Elizabeth seem like just any other woman. Much is done to flesh out the character. We see a woman in conflict, with her people, her subjects, her cousin and the King of Spain, but by doing this, we lose sight of who this woman really is. By making her seem so common we forget we are watching a queen. Compare this to Helen Mirren's performance in Stephen Frears' "The Queen". In that film we also see the queen as a woman, but, we never forget who she is. Mirren managed to contain a regal presence throughout the film.
The point of all of this is when the film deals with the love triangle, it could have been any character. It didn't have to be Queen Elizabeth.
Yet there are still elements to enjoy while watching the film. Visually it is beautiful. Kapur's use of colors is striking. Blanchett is still worth watching, and much of the cast does a fine job. Geoffrey Rush as Sir Francis Walsingham, one of the queen's subjects, probably comes out looking second best (behind Blanchett of course). His character is one in inner-conflict as well.
The film managed to win an Oscar at last night's Academy Award show for "best costume". It was a well deserved award. Blanchett was nominated, but lost, the best actress category.
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