A mix of the old and the new

Rating: 7/10 (19 April 2003)

I've had this sat on the shelf waiting to be watched for months, and finally got around to it this evening. It was one of those that just kept on getting put back down the list, in favour of a blockbuster. How stupid I was.
Some have compared this with Shakespeare in Love which includes two of the main leads from this film and was also released in the same year. Both are good films, but whereas SIL plays generally for laughs, Elizabeth is a serious film that should be taken seriously. There are historical plot holes - but these should not be used as a reason for slating the film. In fact it seems that Hollywood encourages this type of approach these days.
Blanchett and Rush - Aussies playing Brits !! - are excellent. Likewise Ecclestone as Norfolk is a good cinema baddie. Sadly Fiennes is Shakespeare playing Dudley. He, and Dickie Attenborough, are the films biggest let down.
The approach that Kapur has taken with this film is refreshing. It makes a change to find a costume drama that isn't wrapped up in itself. The camera work and editing are first rate and the whole effect kept me enthralled throughout.
Definitely worth a look in my opinion.