Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

Directed By: Sherkar Kapur
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen, Samantha Morton, Jordi Molla, Rhys Ifans, Adam Godley, Abbie Cornish

Nine years ago Cate Blanchett portrayed Elizabeth in Sherkar Kapur’s histrorical epic. Now, in a sequel of sorts she’s doing it again. This time, the focus is centred around the Spanish Armada and Elizabeth romance with Sir Walter Raleigh, here played with mild relish by Clive Owen. This is perhaps the greatest period of the British Monarchy in all its history. The virgin Queen rousing her troops and facing off against the biggest naval force in world, resulting in a victory which not only personified Britain’s Greatness but also brought down the biggest threat the Elizabeth’s crown. The film then has a lot to live up to. As does Blanchett as this period of Elizabeth’s reign was most famously portrayed in The Virgin Queen with the magnificent Bette Davis.
Inevitably the film is a bit of failure. Nothing momunmental, but not the rousing, unexpected victory the Queen managed herself. Blanchett’s gives a stunning performance as the lonesome Queen, fighting an enemy with the backing of the Roman Catholic Church. A relative waiting in the wings, and a plot coming from within.

Thrown into the mix is Elizabeth’s love triangle with Raleigh and her servant Bess. The film switches between the vulnerable Elizabeth’s growing affection for the dashing Raleigh and the fear of betrayal from the ongoing attempt to restore Britain to Catholicism. And herein lays the films major flaw. Kapur seems more interested in the love story than the impending war with the Spanish. And in doing so the bulk of the history is glossed over, and the actual battle itself lasting no more than ten minutes.

The film is littered with famous faces giving meaty, scenery chewing performances. Geoffrey Rush returns from the original Elizabeth as Sir Francis Walsingham and they are joined by Samantha Morton as a superb subdued Mary Stuart, Jordi Molla as King Phillip who instigates the plot to return Britain to Catholicism. Rhys Ifans plays Robert Reston, the man behind the plot to assassinate the Queen. His performance, however, along with those involved in the assassination plot, and Spanish Armada are so sidelined they there never given the time to fully develop.

Stealing most of the screen time is Clive Owen. His dashing seafarer Raleigh becomes the central narrative, and the Queen’s inability to become involved with him. To keep Raleigh close though she assigns one of her lady in waiting Bess to befriend Raleigh. Of course Elizabeth is forced to watch from afar, keeping the required distance between the two, whilst officials look on disapprovingly. This story line lacks the dramatic weight of the invasion and assassination and seems almost absurd that Kapur would be more interested in a love story with little weight than an invasion which tested the strength and resolve of our monarchy and country.
But plaudits deserve to go the Blanchett, who throughout the year has shown greater range and versatility than most actress mange in a career. This role may not garner her any awards, but she carries the film and gives her Queen a regal, majestic quality few could muster. She is also amazingly adept at making this Queen human, portraying at times as frail and weak as well as strong and resolute.

Kapur direction is strong and he has a great hand at bringing to opulence of the past to the screen. Virtually every shot is a sumptuous display of composition, lighting and colour and at the very least makes the picture enjoyable to watch.

As far as historical epics go, this falls a long way short of the very best on offer, but does have enough to entertain and enthral, even if its just for Cate Blanchett’s performance