Elizabeth - The Golden Age (2007)

Elizabeth--Part 2

Cate Blanchett does a convincing job of portraying Elizabeth I as she grapples with her enemies, the Catholic government of Spain and her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots. She dispatches both of them quite neatly, but not before she gets to wear fabulous costumes and flirt with Sir Walter Raleigh who becomes enamored with Bess, her lady-in-waiting. The movie has some spectacular battle scenes and good acting (mostly by Blancett) and gives the viewer a brushing-up on somewhat-accurate English history. July 12, 2008

Painful to watch

I hope the stars made a lot of money doing this turkey. Too much of nothing. July 8, 2008

"She had a bad day, and she turned it around"......

I love this movie if not for anything else, the fantastic costumes, cinematogrphy and Cate Blanchett's performance. She looks brilliant as Queen Elizabeth and her acting is incredible. She's the best, along with Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts. This is a film that takes you on a journey like a time machine, and you are met by Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth. She captivates you with all of her flair and queeny nuances. The story is bizarre but then again so were those times of wine and roses, "let them eat cake" so they say. This is a film that showcases the old school diva. Elizabeth was the first diva, she is OG, she is gangsta. July 4, 2008

Five Stars

Not at all historically accurate but beautiful sets, beautiful clothing and wonderfully talent actors made this movie fun to watch. July 4, 2008

If I were to scrape the icing off the cake of Elizabethan England

this is the movie I would make.

The story is oddly vacant and not really accurate, but the visuals are stunning, and you can't help but enjoy the purity of Blanchett's performance.

I rather fear that too many people will take this "MTV" account of Elizabeth's life seriously, and that's a shame. It's a bit like reading the Spark Notes to the Golden Age of England, or watching the Mel Gibson version of "Hamlet." It's not BAD, but lord knows it's not accurate or deep. You're there for Mel in tights.

The same applies to Clive Owen. Edgy and divinely roguish in his role as Sir Walter Raleigh, he was certainly an eyeful of man candy. Again, his life was not entirely ACCURATE, but in a production such as this, I suppose that's neither here nor there: we are watching for ENTERTAINMENT.

If I really wanted ACCURACY, I'd watch the History Channel.

The costumes were beautifully done; the landscapes were gorgeous. Again, Blanchett MADE the movie worthy of attention, along with the cinematography and rich colors from artful contrasts and allusions.

I can't stop praising Blanchett's portrayal of Elizabeth. It is rich and complex, highlighting the solitude of a woman in power and trying to maintain her own against a male-dominated society and Houses. A society where her virginity is her biggest gambling chip against other countries. It was simply a brilliant portrayal!

I enjoyed this movie for what it was: "BASED" on the life of Elizabeth I. As we all know, that gives them license to "elaborate." (Although, they just... well... snipped the tip of that time period.)

If you want accuracy, go elsewhere. For a bit of fantasy and simply breathtaking scenes, give this a go.
July 1, 2008

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