Elizabeth The Golden Age

I went to see it this afternoon. And yes, I really enjoyed it. Was it as good as the first film? It could easily be argued that it is not...but it is still a very well made film. The costumes and sets are breathtakingly gorgeous, the acting is superb, and the direction is excellent. My chief complaint would actually be in the writing and the overall plot of the film. The first film followed history very closely, but the film kept you in constant suspense, consistently having the action build. All components of the film heightened the drama. In this sequel, I found that there were things included which could have made the overall film a bit stronger at times, because they almost took away from the intensity.

However, this should be strong enough to garner Cate Blanchett another nomination for the Oscar for Best Actress. I'm not sure how stiff the competition will be this year, but if it is a year without any other serious contenders, she will likely win. Clive Owen was phenomenal as Sir Walter Raleigh. As a history buff, and one who is fascinated by Mary Queen of Scots, I was a bit disappointed that there was not more focus on her within the context of the story. Nothing was told about why she was imprisoned really, and there was also little focus on her claim to the throne of England. I would have liked to see a bit more of her. Oh well. No one asked me!

Anyways, go see this film! If you are at all interested in English History, or even just a good historical film, you will not be disappointed. Blanchett pulls off the role of the regal Queen of England like no one else I could imagine.

Oh yeah, and showing my shallow side...Clive Owen is HOT!

Will Elizabeth be Golden?

On Friday, a new film will be opening in theaters: Elizabeth The Golden Age. I am probably looking forward to this movie than I have any movie in quite a while. Cate Blanchett will be reprising the role which should have won her an Oscar for her 1998 performance in Elizabeth. I still get upset over that one. Granted, even though I enjoyed Shakespeare in Love, I am not a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow. I thought she stole that one right out of Blanchett's hands.

Needless to say I am thrilled that she will be returning to the same role. Not only that, but Shekhar Kapur returned to direct, and Geoffrey Rush is returning to his role as Sir Francis Walsingham. This is a team that, with the right script, could (and should) turn it into an Oscar for Blanchett, even if it is nearly 10 years late in coming.

I hope that the film lives up to its promise. I will be more than a little bit upset if they let me down.

This sequel to the first film will focus on an era approximatly 30 years after Elizabeth. Clive Owen will be joining the cast to tackle the role of Sir Walter Raleigh, and viewers will also be treated to Samantha Morton in the role of Mary Stuart, better known as Mary, Queen of Scots. I would imagine that the film will tackle, at least in part, the rivalry between Elizabeth and Mary, and I am interested to see the spin Kapur puts on that relationship.