Not bad, but not brilliant

Rating: Null/10 (15 August 1999)

An enjoyable and engrossing historical drama it is, but Elizabeth is full of flaws. The worst is Shekar Kapurs direction, which is always trying to make its presence felt. Its almost as if the camera is one of the actors. Kapur cannot seem to keep his camera still on a single conversation that lasts more than a minute. His standard tricks (shooting ceilings, etc...) expose him as an amateur. The screenplay does well in encompassing a lot of plot points, but it doesn't have sufficient clarity, so that a second viewing is probably required. the acting is unever. Christopher Eccleston puts far too much into a nonedescript part and this has a negligible effect, Kathy Burke is badly miscast and Joseph Fiennes is soppy. The best performance is from Geoffrey Rush, who is effortlessly suave. Cate Blanchett gives a good, subtle performance but has little charisma or humour. She is nowhere near as flamboyant as Glenda Jackson was. She does however leave a strong impression.