All Hail Queen Blanchett

Rating: 7/10 (6 November 2007)

A history lesson dumbed down so much that 7-year-olds could understand what's going on, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" is nevertheless a wholeheartedly entertaining film. It reminded me of the fluffy, goofy historical epics Hollywood used to make back in the 1930s, when the emphasis was on romantic swooning rather than historical accuracy.
Cate Blanchett could play a milk pail and keep me riveted, and she's dynamite once again as Elizabeth I, leading her country against the onslaught of the invading Spanish, who are intent on bringing the Inquisition to England. Blanchett is too good for material like this, but she gives it her all like a pro, and no amount of production design (and believe me, there's plenty to spare in this movie), could induce me to take my eyes off of her. Geoffrey Rush reprises his role as Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth's right-hand man, but he's mostly relegated to the sidelines. Stepping up to front and center this time around is Clive Owen, who plays either explorer Walter Raleigh or Errol Flynn, I'm still not sure which. All I know is that by the end he's swinging on ropes like Douglas Fairbanks, carefully groomed chest hair blowing in the breeze, as the English navy takes its stand against the Spanish armada. Actually, the silent film reference could apply to the Spaniards as well -- they're so deliciously evil that you half expect them to start twirling their villainous mustaches. I hope all the Catholics out there have a good sense of humour.
By the end, all attempts at realism have been swept aside, and the movie has descended into pure camp, Elizabeth practically calling down God's wrath to defeat the Spanish. And you know, Blanchett is such a good actress, I almost believe she COULD call down God's wrath if she wanted to. All I know is that when she shouts out the film's best line, "My bitches wear my collars!" I sure as hell sat up and took notice.
Grade: B+