Cast: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen, Samantha Morton, Rhys Ifans Dir: Shekhar Kapur Rating: 3/5Elizabeth I was to be Cate Blanchett's career defining role nine years ago and now, along with director Shekhar Kapur and co-star Geoffrey Rush, Blanchett becomes the Virgin Queen once again.Despite being heavily criticised when released in cinemas there is no denying that Elizabeth: The Golden Age ticks all the right boxes when it comes to visual design, period drama and political intrigue.In 1585 Queen Elizabeth I's greatest threat is from Catholic Spain who want to remove the Protestant monarch from the throne of England and replace her with Mary Queen of Scots, a Catholic.Preparing to go to war against King Phillip II's vast Armada to defend her empire Elizabeth struggles to balance ancient royal duties with an unexpected vulnerability in her love for Raleigh. But he remains forbidden for a queen who has sworn body and soul to her country. Unable and unwilling to pursue her love, Elizabeth encourages her favourite lady-in-waiting, Bess (Abbie Cornish), to befriend Raleigh to keep him near.
But this strategy forces Elizabeth to observe their growing intimacy.
Through an intricate spy network, Elizabeth's most trusted advisor Francis Walsingham (Rush) uncovers an assassination plot that could topple the throne.
But as he unmasks traitors that may include Elizabeth's own cousin Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton), he unknowingly gives the Spanish a cause for war.
Director Kapur seems more interested in fancy dresses and hair do's than actual character development and the film is filled with historical inaccuracies: Elizabeth was fifty two years old when the war with Spain took place to an armoured Queen rallying the troops like something out of Braveheart is unlikely.
And historians and fans of Sir Francis Drake will be horrified to discover that he has been supplanted by Sir Walter Raleigh for the attack of the Spanish Armada.
However these can be overlooked, who is really watching this film for a history lesson anyway?
Cate Blanchett is a powerful embodiment of Elizabeth as the scrip cleverly weaves together her intellect with the bulldog fighting spirit with undertones of womanly anguish and self doubt.
However the character of Walsingham, and the talent of Geoffrey Rush, is vastly under-used in favour of the character of Sir Walter Raleigh.
And while Clive Owen portrays Raleigh well it's the political twists and turns that involved Walsingham in the first film that made it so exciting.
Despite sinking with out a trace in America Elizabeth: The Golden Age, despite it's shortcomings, is, in all an entertaining movie.
The scenes in court are bright and vibrant and there is a good mix of Elizabeth's duty fighting against her personal desires.
Visually it is stunning in particular the battle scenes towards the end of the film.
But it is Cate Blachett's performance that really pulls the movie along as the strong monarch who was feminine while controlling matters of state in a world ruled by men.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age is release on DVD 25th February.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw