Elizabeth (1998)

ELIZABETH is a feast for the eyes.  Terrific tone, too, that just 
*oozes* with a salacious sense of dread.  (The plot:  newly crown-
ed Queen Elizabeth I battles threats to both her country and her 
monarchy.)  Lovely Cate Blanchett is a commanding presence as the 
title character; she's tough to take your eyes off of.  Fabulous 
period detail, too, and, oh, those high-ceiling cathedrals...  If 
only the film engaged on a dramatic level.  (Three, maybe four 
scenes spring to life.)  Be prepared as well for a near-incompre-
hensible plot.  I lucked out, having read a wee bit of 16th Cen-
tury history only a couple days before.  And what's with the use 
of Mozart in the finale?  Effective, yes, but what a distracting 
anachronism...  With Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston, Richard 
Attenborough, Fanny Ardant, Sir John Gielgud (in a cameo as Pope 
Pius V), and Ralph Fiennes younger brother Joseph.  Directed by 
Shekhar Kapu.  (Rated "R"/121 min.)

Grade: C

Copyright 1998 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: November 29, 1998