Brilliant

Rating: 8/10 (4 July 2002)

While obviously not completely historically accurate (and after all what is none of us was there so we have no clue)... this film is a brilliant depiction of the rise of a girl to a queen. My mother loved this movie, and she is a major history buff (who hates any reference to Richard the Lionheart cause in reality he never visited England and couldn't speak a word of English). Anyhoo, Cate Blanchett is a revelation in the role of Elizabeth...beautiful, believable, and solidly cast. I agree with many other reviewers here that she was robbed of the Oscar when it was given to "Hollywood's little girl" Paltrow (not that she didn't do a good job but compared to Blanchett puhlease.) The remainder of the cast were equally perfect, and I am a little unsure as to why the criticism of Joseph (why does everyone keep referring to him as Ralph's brother?)... as Dudley... I thought he was perfect. I have not lived in England for 11 years and therefore was totally unaware that the French Ambassador was being played by a football player, personally I thought he did a nice understated job of the role. Of course Rush, Geilgud and Attenborough are utterly brilliant as usual and are a joy to watch. The supporting cast were equally stellar and fleshed out the entire movie and made every second worth watching... (especially Norfolk's "wife" "female" her expressions and inflections were wonderful). While I have to admit that a couple of the camera tricks had my head in a mess, the overall look of the film was rich and voluptuous... I adored every minute and the final scene where Elizabeth announces that she is "married to England" is perfect. My husband (not one for costume dramas unless there is a great deal of killing ie Braveheart...) absolutely loved this film and demanded that we buy it. One of the reviewers further down made a comment (and I paraphrase) "this is why the United States became a greater power than England we know better than to put teenage girl anywhere other than high school ruling a country?" (or something like that). For that reviewer I have two comments 1) where the hell do you think that all the people that made the United States great came from? (answer Europe) b) sorry we disturbed your viewing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer....