Majestic and splendid! Why the unfair attack by critics? A well-made and GREAT movie!

Rating: 10/10 (14 October 2007)

Grand movie! First, I am truly and sincerely puzzled by the seeming "attack" on this movie by the critics. From what I read, I expected a gaudy, clumsy "bodice-ripper" girlie romantic movie type thing. Being a devoted fan of both Cate Blanchett AND Elizabeth I, I went anyway.
How wrong the critics were! This movie succeeds on most levels. It was enthralling, fully entertaining, and engaging every moment. The atmosphere of the authentic palaces and castles gave it a wondrous feel. Granted, the ending had a few cinematic weak points. But bear in mind they were trying to depict a battle that took place over two days, as I recall from school, and hundreds of miles. In real life, the Spanish plan was very complex. But a freak storm drove the Spanish armada off course, and caused a series of cascading coincidences--- Spanish Phillip's navy had planned to join up with Dutch troops and soldiers in France, etc., etc.--- but the wheels came off. And the English DID capitalise on this brilliantly and win the war.
While many forces combined up to make the Catholic Spanish plans go pear-shaped, how could a movie deal with all of that in just 10 minutes or so at the end of the film? The "literary license" taken by the director to condense it all into a few dramatic moments is understandable, and forgivable. The SPIRIT of the denouement of Catholic Europe's attempt to topple Elizabeth was spot on. It was, by and large, historically accurate. Although her thrilling speech to the troops at Tilbury, as recorded by history, was not fully given here, and that was a loss. Her real-life remark: "I have the weak body of a woman, but my father gave me the heart and stomach of a king!" sent the troops gathered there into a frenzy, making them ready and able to defend England against ANY enemy. But alas, those famous words were missing from this script. Oh well.
I also read criticism that the music was too loud. Frankly, I didn't even notice it, it was perfect "movie" music. Also, critics blasted the costumes as being too gorgeous, too elaborate. I am a bloke, and not into women's clothes. But even I was impressed by the costuming--- females and males alike; lead characters and background characters equally apt. What--- were the critics searching THAT hard for something harsh to say? They were way off base on this movie--- ignore them, and go enjoy yourself.
As for the cast and the acting--- again, brilliant. As a self-confessed fan of Cate Blanchett, of course I am biased. But she and Geoffery Rush, both Australians, oddly enough, made a great and believable team. As did fellow Aussie Abby Cornish, who played Elizabeth's best friend, protégé, lady in waiting, or whatever--- and Walter Raleigh's booty call. And, again, not being a girl, I can only guess at the accuracy of the "girls only" chit chat and boudoir scenes, but they SEEMED realistic to me. Elizabeth was one of history's greatest leaders. Her successes and political acumen and power went far, far beyond any dosage of mere "luck." She was, historically, a true political genius. And I believed the movie when it portrayed her as considering all of England as her children.
I never did understand the full extent of what the heck Rhys Ifans' "Robert Reston" was doing--- his plotting and such were clear, but then he simply got arrested and said his purpose was fulfilled, even though his plot to kill Elizabeth failed. Or WAS failure his plot? Or something else? I dunno... I suppose that's a cinematic weakness.
And Clive Owens was mostly great as Mr., then Sir, Walter Raleigh. I liked his roughneck character--- although during the naval battle scene, which he did NOT participate in, he acted a tiny bit like Eerol Flynn in "Captain Blood." That was a bit lame, and after he sets his fire ship ablaze, and dives overboard, we magically see him dry and tidy on some other English bloke's warship, unsure how he got there.
But those are mere quibbles. The atmosphere, the majesty of the royal court vibe, the history, even with its abbreviations and dramatisations, and the homage to the real Elizabeth's true greatness make this a splendid effort.
Go with an open mind, ready to forgive a few minor flaws, and be ready to simply BASK in a sumptuous and enthralling drama that really did happen.