Cate Blanchett Dominates While Everyone Else Watches

Rating: Null/10 (25 June 2000)

"Elizabeth" is a nice little film that tries to be big. The production design, costume design, and direction are all wonderful. However, all these elements take away from every actor in the film. Every actor except Cate Blanchett, who gives a stunning performance and should have won the Best Actress Oscar in 1998. Her transformation from naive child to powerful queen over the course of the film is remarkable. She is a definite scene-stealer and when she is not on screen the film seems to sputter. Geoffrey Rush has his usual fine performance as well. Others like Joseph Fiennes, Chris Eccleston, and Richard Attenborough seem to be overwhelmed by the film itself and give fair performances at best. All in all it was worthy of seven Oscar nods, but for the most part only because of Blanchett. 4 out of 5 stars.