Spellbound

Rating: Null/10 (1 April 1999)

Today I went to see this film for the second time. I first saw this film in the second week of December 1998, after reading a short article about it. Back then, I was anxious to see the film starring the then unknown (to most people) Cate Blanchett and Joseph Fiennes. This time around, I was once again mesmerized by Cate Blanchett's performance as Elizabeth I, and I was enthralled by the film's stunning beauty (particularly its cinematography). The film itself seems somewhat flawed--I don't know why. Yet, it's still an impressive and enjoyable film to watch. The cinematography of this film is spectacular and unprecedented. I love the use of bright light and of bold color in certain scenes in the film. My favorite scene in the movie is the moment when Elizabeth has just found out that her sister Mary has died, leaving Elizabeth to become the new queen. That scene is probably the best example of the cinematographer's use of bright light and bold color...I love the look of the green color of the hills in that scene. But more importantly, this is Cate's film. She's amazing in this, her star-making performance. Her portrayal of Elizabeth I was brilliant. I will always consider this to be one of the best performances ever.