A Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (17 February 2000)

This movie got completely buried under all of the Saving Private Ryan and Shakespeare in Love hype, but every person who I know who has seen all 3 films has agrees with me that this film is the best of all the rest. Cate Blanchett hauntingly portrays The Virgin Queen who is attacked by men from every part of her life and conquers them all with the aid of the evil but powerful Geoffrey Rush. Joseph Fiennes finest scene is at the very end when Elizabeth confronts him and makes him an example of her growing power. The script is wonderfully written, showing Elizabeth as a flawed woman who loves and is rebuked and gains all of her strength.When she is shoved into a corner she comes out fighting and you want her to succeed. Blanchett was completely robbed of the Academy Award,as much as I like Shakespeare in love and Gwyneth Paltrow it is not even half as wonderful and artistic as this movie. Watch and see for yourself.