Dull and lifeless, bastardization of a truly wonderful story

Rating: Null/10 (7 November 1998)

This will win awards for cinematography and costume and that's about all. Whatever lines Jeffrey Rush was given he delivered well, Kate Blanchett looked very good, but the whole script lacked anything of substance in the biggest way. Very convoluted, portraying Elizabeth in the early years of her reign up until about when she dropped Dudley - I don't know the time line (as it got skewed in this horrible script) but maybe the first 5-10 years of her reign, at that. She was portrayed at times as a nin-com-poop which is stupid and false as far as I'm concerned. She's a very important British Royal and I've read several biographies on her and this film is such a horrible portrayal of one of the most powerful monarchies in history - it does nothing to exemplify her political prowess (as she could have put Machiavelli to shame) which if there were more dialogue, more history and less romance and long glances, this movie may have had a chance.
So, if your into innuendo, bastardization of history, strong women portrayed as idiots mostly, good scenery, doleful eyes, no story line (even though IMO it's one of the greatest stories/historical periods) then go see it. Otherwise, save your $8 bucks.
Usually on opening nights the audience will have an opinion. I was not the only one booing at the end nor the only one looking at my watch - first waiting for the story to begin, then waiting for it to end. Two hours and twenty minutes worth. Blech.
To have such fine actors (Geoffrey Rush, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Fiennes, Richard Attenborough, Sir John Gielgud, et. al.) stuck with such a reprehensible script is blasphemous.
Marcella