Long live the queen indeed, as we still are making movies about the old maid centuries after her death. This week, in response to the newly released DVD ?Elizabeth: The Golden Age,? let us examine both it and its prequel to see which reigns supreme.
?Elizabeth? (1998)
If ever there were an example of a history class movie, it would likely be ?Elizabeth.? Despite several small historical inaccuracies and a selective focus to make the film more entertaining, it nevertheless feels very believable and unembellished.
Following the first half of the life of Queen Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett), ?Elizabeth? manages the rare feat of breathing life back into history. So frequently, especially lately, we see epic pseudo-historical movies that present characters as mere players in a predetermined fate, but ?Elizabeth? portrays the very human aspect of history that is often forgotten.
It can be easy to lose oneself in the plot ? especially for those rusty on their European history ? with religious conflict, courting procedures, treason charges, assassination plots and more. This, however, also makes for a very engaging movie that plays more out like a modern mob thriller set in old England. The rest is filled with the Queen?s inner conflict, as she struggles with the reality that her life and her heart are no longer her own, but the state?s. She also finds within her the strength to rule without submitting herself to any man or the influence of another country.
?Elizabeth? is as spectacular as the opulent royal court parties it shows us. The sets are grandiose, the costumes elaborate and the score appropriately royal. And it?s especially relieving to see a film of this genre that is not dependent on CGI, but rather on its solid cinematography and charm.
However, without a doubt, the film?s strongest point is the cast. The at-the-time relatively unknown Blanchett is stunningly believable as the young, struggling queen, while supporting actor Geoffrey Rush, as her Machiavellian adviser, wields great screen presence in such a role. It?s really no surprise that Blanchett received an Oscar nomination for this career-launching role.
Director Shekhar Kapur?s ?Elizabeth? is a delightful, albeit partially fabricated history lesson, that, if nothing else, is very pleasing to the eyes and ears. Charged performances breathe life into the past, transforming dust-covered history into a political suspense with romantic tones.
4 out of 5 stars
?Elizabeth: The Golden Age? (2007)
The second installment of Queen Elizabeth I?s life, written and directed by the same crew, is not as radiant as its name would suggest. Instead, it?s more often dull or frustrating. While this may be because the ?golden age? of her life was less tumultuous, it makes for an emptier movie.
Picking up mid-life, ?Golden Age? continues to follow ?The Virgin Queen? Elizabeth, who recently declared herself married to the state. However, unlike the prequel, the politico-religious machinations aren?t as abundant and the main conflict revolves around her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, who desires the throne, and the growing tensions with France and Spain. The relative lack of a complicated plot lends to the deeper character insight of the Queen herself, as she finds herself weary of a loveless life devoted entirely to her country.
While this is established relatively well through imagery, allegories of the new world, and envy of the free youth of her ladies of the court, it feels a bit conceived. A flashback or two would have been appropriate. Worse yet, this psychological venture clashes so abruptly with the mindless buildup to the awkwardly CGI maritime war.
Shekhar makes some poor decisions in the sequel, spending too much time demonizing the Spanish ?fanatics? in ridiculous scenes with choppy transitions across the channel that don?t build up the tension it needs. Much of the narrow scope of the film is more melodramatic than moving ? and more fabricated than historical. There?s also little wonder why the cinematography of ?Elizabeth? didn?t receive any accolades the second time around. A single scene with the camera not spinning around the set would have been nice, and, although symbolism is nice, there were no less than four whiteouts throughout the film. What in moderation could have enhanced ultimately just distracts.
However, the one thing that saves ?Elizabeth: The Golden Age? is the powerful cast. Once again, Blanchett and Rush imbue the film with emotion and life and this time are well-supported by Clive Owen as a sly explorer and love intrigue of the queen, and Samantha Morton as her fanatic, treacherous cousin Queen Mary, who is particularly stunning.
Ultimately ?The Golden Age? is much less personable and focused than the first, and is thus much more easily forgettable. Alas, no performance, regal or not, can save this poorly filmed epic.
2.5 stars out of 5
