Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Kate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush reprise their BAFTA-winning roles as Elizabeth and Sir Francis Walsingham, with director Shekhar Kapur, in the story of her relationship with Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), and the Spanish Armada.
The Virgin Queen is beset by the claim of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton), to the throne of England, and her lack of an heir exasperates this issue. The solution is a well-placed marriage to bring diplomatic security, however Elizabeth is not enamoured with any of the procession of eligible Euro bachelors. Privately, she concedes that her ideal man should be fascinating.
Cue Sir Walter Raleigh, who arrives at court like Al Gore with his slide show, bringing with him a box containing the future of the world (well, potatoes and tobacco). But it's his tales of the New World that impress Elizabeth. Although publicly she chides him that 'Virginia', named in her honour, will need to be renamed 'Conjugia' should she marry, in private his air of freedom has her more than interested. But the course of true love often doesn't run smoothly - even for monarchs - and it's her closest confidant Elizabeth Throckmorton (Abbie Cornish) who catches his eye. The inevitable happens with both losing the Queen's favour.
Meanwhile, Walsingham (think Alistair Campbell meets Norman Tebbit) uncovers an assassination plot involving the Spanish and Mary Queen of Scots, who plan to install Mary to the throne and return England to Catholsism. Plot exposed, Mary is executed. Outraged and outrageously bow-legged, King Phillip II of Spain (Jordi Molla) declares war and sends his Armada to liaise with the army of the Duke of Parma in the Channel. The result is, of course, history.
If I have a criticism of The Golden Age, it is with the script's over emphasis on exploring Elizabeth 'the woman'. Elizabeth is synonymous with strength and monarchy. She took on the might of Catholic Europe and won. Under her rule adventurers and explorers emerged and created an empire. Ultimately she had the strength not to marry for diplomatic purposes, but to assert her independence until death. She wasn't a Tudor Bridget Jones.
Yes, scenes showing her behaving like a teenager as she smokes for the first time give an appealing insight into her life. But to then omit her rallying cry, 'I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman,' is inexplicitable. Imagine Henry V without 'Cry God for Harry, England and Saint George'.
That said, where the script delivers, the cast respond magnificently. Morton and Blanchett give commanding performances throughout, especially when portraying the psychological effects of the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. Geoffrey Rush fully exploits the role of political puppet master. If there were an Oscar for withering looks, then Aimee King who plays the Infanta would win, with the indifferent look she gives her defeated father.
Put these performances against the stunning set backdrops and costumes - which must deliver the Oscar costume designer Alexandra Byrne missed out on for Elizabeth - and you have a film that whilst not emulating the beauty of its predecessor, is an excellent piece of work.
Ignore any negative reviews you may have seen. If you enjoyed Elizabeth or want to regain some national pride after recent sporting results, go see The Golden Age and judge for yourself.
Elizabeth : The Golden Age opens in cinemas on 2/11/07.
Cue Sir Walter Raleigh, who arrives at court like Al Gore with his slide show, bringing with him a box containing the future of the world (well, potatoes and tobacco). But it's his tales of the New World that impress Elizabeth. Although publicly she chides him that 'Virginia', named in her honour, will need to be renamed 'Conjugia' should she marry, in private his air of freedom has her more than interested. But the course of true love often doesn't run smoothly - even for monarchs - and it's her closest confidant Elizabeth Throckmorton (Abbie Cornish) who catches his eye. The inevitable happens with both losing the Queen's favour.
Meanwhile, Walsingham (think Alistair Campbell meets Norman Tebbit) uncovers an assassination plot involving the Spanish and Mary Queen of Scots, who plan to install Mary to the throne and return England to Catholsism. Plot exposed, Mary is executed. Outraged and outrageously bow-legged, King Phillip II of Spain (Jordi Molla) declares war and sends his Armada to liaise with the army of the Duke of Parma in the Channel. The result is, of course, history.
If I have a criticism of The Golden Age, it is with the script's over emphasis on exploring Elizabeth 'the woman'. Elizabeth is synonymous with strength and monarchy. She took on the might of Catholic Europe and won. Under her rule adventurers and explorers emerged and created an empire. Ultimately she had the strength not to marry for diplomatic purposes, but to assert her independence until death. She wasn't a Tudor Bridget Jones.
Yes, scenes showing her behaving like a teenager as she smokes for the first time give an appealing insight into her life. But to then omit her rallying cry, 'I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman,' is inexplicitable. Imagine Henry V without 'Cry God for Harry, England and Saint George'.
That said, where the script delivers, the cast respond magnificently. Morton and Blanchett give commanding performances throughout, especially when portraying the psychological effects of the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. Geoffrey Rush fully exploits the role of political puppet master. If there were an Oscar for withering looks, then Aimee King who plays the Infanta would win, with the indifferent look she gives her defeated father.
Put these performances against the stunning set backdrops and costumes - which must deliver the Oscar costume designer Alexandra Byrne missed out on for Elizabeth - and you have a film that whilst not emulating the beauty of its predecessor, is an excellent piece of work.
Ignore any negative reviews you may have seen. If you enjoyed Elizabeth or want to regain some national pride after recent sporting results, go see The Golden Age and judge for yourself.
Elizabeth : The Golden Age opens in cinemas on 2/11/07.
Here Is The Writer : Martin Gallagher
Martin Gallagher has never played for West Ham or England, nor had a number one hit single, but he has worked in the City for many years (for what that's worth). A life-long Londoner, he made the migration from east to west a few years back and is still trying to get used to the absence of fried chicken takeaways and the over abdundance of coffee shops. Martin is married, has two daughters, and is also interested in travelling, football and writing. He hopes to publish his first novel 'sometime in the future'.
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