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68%
Overall Rating
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Ranked #1,997
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Two faiths, two empires, two rulers - colliding in 1588. Papist Spain wants to bring down the heretic Elizabeth. Philip is building an armada but needs a rationale to attack. With covert intrigue, Spain sets a trap for the Queen and her principal secretary, Walsingham, using as a pawn Elizabeth's cousin Mary Stuart, who's under house arrest in the North. The trap springs, and the armada sets sail, to rendezvous with French ground forces and to attack. During these months, the Virgin Queen falls in love with Walter Raleigh, keeping him close to court and away from the sea and America. Is treachery or heroism at his heart? Does loneliness await her passionate majesty?
--IMDb
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Rare is the occasion when a historical drama receives a cinematic sequel. "Elizabeth" was released in 1998, was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, and thrust actress Cate Blanchett into the limelight. No one ever expected a sequel. The director, Shekhar Kapur, followed his success on "Elizabeth" with the big budget box office flop, "The Four Feathers". The failing of that film basically secured Kapur's fate, as a director, and he hasn't directed anything since. Alas, the sequel winds have been blowing lately, so much so that "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" was given the green light, directed by Kapur and reuniting Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush in the roles they portrayed in the original film. "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" is one of those rare instances in the history of cinema where something uncharted happens - a historical drama given a sequel. It just doesn't happen. When the film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, it received tepid reviews from critics and was called 'overblown' and 'lacking in substance'. Many critics claimed that the film was all visual appeal, with no story. After watching "Elizabeth: The Golden Age", it is the opinion of this critic that nothing could be further from the truth. I enjoyed "Elizabeth", but thought some of the film was a little boring and draggish. I was thoroughly involved in the sequel, glued to every second. On the whole, I found the sequel to be superior to the original.
The film finds Queen Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) in 1585. England is suffering financial hardship and under the threat of attack from Spain. The Spanish forces, under the command of King Phillip (Jordi Molla), are planning to send an Armada to attack England and raise Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton) to the throne and restore the Catholic faith. Meanwhile, a Jesuit (Rhys Ifans) has been sent to England to bring about a plan into motion, as Elizabeth's trusted protector, Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) attempts to sort out everything before his Queen is assassinated. Clive Owen stars as Walter Raleigh, who returns from the New World and takes a liking to the Queen and her lady in waiting, Bess (Abby Cornish). Elizabeth and Raleigh develop a deep friendship, while Raleigh and Bess develop a more physical connection. The first part of the film deals with Elizabeth and the plot to overthrow and assassinate her. The second part of the film deals with the invasion of the Spanish Armada, as they do battle with the English. Much attention is, once again, paid to Elizabeth and her refusal to take a husband and produce an heir. Much attention is paid to her loneliness in choosing her country over her own needs and desires. What makes "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" work so well is that it pays equal attention to the same kind of intrigue that made the original so enjoyable, as well as fleshing out the character of Elizabeth, and those around her. By the end of the film, we have a deeper respect for her character, and we understand her far better.
As with the original, the visuals here are outstanding. The costume design by Alexandra Byrne is some of the most impressive of the year, and the cinematography from Remi Adefarasin helps turn this film into a visual parade for the senses. The special effects are also impressive, especially the battle between the English and the Spanish. There is one shot of Elizabeth walking to the top of a cliff to observe the fighting at sea that is absolutely breath taking. There is another sequence that takes place in the royal court, where Raleigh and Bess are dancing, when the camera takes a number of unexpected trips around the room, through corridors and between columns - up down and all around. Director Shekhar Kapur really knows how to handle this material and it shows. But, I should also mention that this film works so well because we have already been given a tutorial with the original film. These characters are very familiar. Elizabeth is far wiser now and has far more inclination to the powers of the Throne, and we see that through some of her actions - actions she would have never taken in the original film. One of the most intense examples of her power come when she discovers that her lady in waiting has been with child and was courting a man without her permission. We see all traces of mercy and humanity disappear and the Queen takes over fully. We see this a few more times throughout the film, and it gives the sense that this is not just the compassionate and tender Queen, but a ruler who will do what it takes to keep her power and her country in order. This helps "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" to stay fresh throughout.
Does Cate Blanchett deserve another Oscar nomination for her performance here? I think she does a lot more in this film than she did in the original, so I guess that answer would be 'yes'. Blanchett has grown as an actress since then and already has one Oscar to her credit, so her performance here is far more complex and multi-layered and we really get to see a fine actress re-connecting with the role that brought her to the world's attention. Geoffrey Rush is in continued fine form as one of the most likable bad men in recent memory, Walsingham. He will do anything it takes to protect the Queen, but is loyal to the end. Clive Owen is a nice addition as Raleigh. He starts out a little weak, but settles into the role, and by the end, we fully believe him. Rhys Ifans makes a nice villain as the Jesuit sent to throw a plot into motion. Ifans is one of the most talented and underrated actors out there, and he continues to impress in these smaller roles. One of the film's highlights, however, would have to be Samantha Morton, who snarls with intensity as Mary Stuart. She does not have a large role in the film, but she makes the most out of it. As for everyone else, I would like to single out Tom Hollander, who handles his role with a quiet power. All of the performances here are strong and far better than the whole of the performances in the original film.
This is one of those films that you're either going to like because you love historical dramas, or you're going to hate because you loathe historical dramas. It delivers just about everything you could want from a film - humor, romance, action, intrigue, violence. It's the whole package. There is probably a secret desire that some critics have to see this film fail. They want to think that it has to be bad, because no one ever produces sequels to films like this. There must be a reason. But, I am here to tell you - "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" is a fine film. Is it one of the best films of the year? Probably not. But, it's well worth your attention and the ticket price of admission. At the very least, take advantage of getting to see one of the greatest actresses working today re-tackling a role that she is far better equipped to play these nine years later. I enjoyed it better than the original film because it didn't drag and it didn't bore me, in places. It doesn't matter if you enjoy it more than the original or not - what matters is that you will enjoy it, and I encourage you to do so.
8.5/10.
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#1:
waxtadpole3657
- added October 16, 2007 at 11:20pm
Glad to see that it's good. I love the original
and I'm a huge Cate Blanchett fan, but after
seeing the reviews this has gotten from
professional critics, I've been a bit worried.
I'll definitely check it out.
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