Elizabeth: What's So Golden About this Royal Clinker? **

Rating: 4/10 (25 October 2008)

Thoroughly boring, tedious and choppy film dealing with Queen Elizabeth. While Cate Blanchett is suited for the part, see the television version with Helen Mirren. The latter displays outstanding acting.
The writing here is the major problem. History is really chopped up as Mary Queen of Scots is implicated in an assassination attempt of Elizabeth, and off goes her head as a result.
Geoffrey Rush, as the queen's adviser, has the perfect role but it is squandered by a completely lack-luster performance by him. Clive Owen is appealing as Sir Walter Raleigh, but an Errol Flynn he is not.
The battle scenes dealing with the Spanish Armada are brief and confusing. In addition, when Blanchett dresses up in battle gear to cheer on the troops, she is a cross between Joan of Arc and Lady Godiva.
Off with their heads! I'm talking about the writers of this rather boring film. At least, the costumes were exquisite.