Why no Oscar for Cate......

Rating: Null/10 (23 June 1999)

I saw this on video again yesterday and it was electrifying - in my personal top ten. From its terrifying opening showing the brutality of the age through Elizabeth's difficult accession to her final consolidation of power this was a political thriller of the first order.
As with many such thrillers, it was about the ambition for and the pursuit, acquisition and retention of power, by Elizabeth and those who were for or against her. It reminded me of the Godfather movies at times with its trust no one mores. As the film progresses Elizabeth realises that even those closest to her cannot ultimately be trusted. She is seen becoming more and more alone and that to retain her grip she must become a friendless unmarried icon - the virgin Queen.
There have been gripes about the historical accuracy, Lord Attenborough who is in his mid seventies playing Lord Burghley who in reality was only about ten years older than the queen and died just five years before her was the one that got me, but hell this was a thriller that just happened to have some historical basis.
Cate Blanchett turns in a subtle, playful and powerful performance streets ahead of Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakesperare in Love. She is well aided by Geoffrey Rush as Walsingham, the head of the country's first secret service, and a portrayal said to be accurate of the man.
There are a few dud performances, Fiennes looking constantly surprised save in the last scene with Elizabeth when he looks pathetic as she scorns him to the sound of Elgar's Nimrod. And what was footie star Cantona doing as a very wooden French Ambassador.
Even so I could watch this again and again.