Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Dir: Shekar Kapur

Returning to the story of Queen Elizabeth I that reaped much attention in the UK in 1998, Shekar Kapur seeks to now expand the story to include the high point of Elizabeth's reign, namely the climax of the conflict with the Spanish King Philip II and the execution of Mary Queen of Scotts. At the same time he must include the story of Sir Walter Raleigh and all the intrigue and drama of the Elizabethan court whilst retaining his focus on Elizabeth herself. No mean undertaking.

Unfortunately, the film fails to deliver any real historical perspective, prefering instead to retain the tight focus on the queen as a character. The Armada (seen below) is relagated to a few minutes of CGI carracks (not a galleass in sight alas) and some photogenic heroic antics by sleepy faced Clive Owen giving the impression that it was Raleigh as practically single handedly defeated the Armada and not the weather... Mary Queen of Scotts doesn't get much attention either, though her execution is dwelt upon at length as a good 'photo op'. Her treason, like the Armada is glossed over to allow more time to the unfolding drama of Elizabeth, Raleigh and Elizabeth's maid, 'Beth' Throckmorton.

So much of this film is devoted to Cate Blanchet's portrayal of Elizabeth that it detracts from the story. Instead of a plot, we are served a series of 'situations' where Blanchet trumpets, wails and cries in despair, at great length, whilst wearing one queenly costume after another. This is not the worst thing possible, but its hardly Elizabeth's 'golden age'. It feels more like grumpy old Elizabeth suffering the pangs of pre menstrual stress. At one point in the film, Kapur crystalizes this vision of Elizabeth with her speaking to her army (see the top image). This scene, features Blanchett resplendent in full armour, on a restless white horse, doing her best to follow the trail blazed by blue faced Mel Gibsen, rallying the troops to the idea that they are fighting for 'freedom'. The problem is, this scene does not preclude any battle, nor does it carry any conviction. The whole thing, like the whole film, appears as an exersize in posing Cate Blanchett to make her look heroic and has nothing what so ever to do with any vague concept of an actual story.

On the whole, this film is a wasted opportunity.