Review of Elizabeth (1998) by Spangle — 11 Mar 2016
Elizabeth is not a bad film, but it is poorly directed, agonizingly slow, and oddly constructed. From the very beginning, the film has a weird tone to it that continues throughout (I saw somebody compare the beginning to a comedy like Monty Python and they're not wrong).
Cate Blanchett is phenomenal, as are Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston, Richard Attenborough, and Joseph Fiennes. The structure reminds me oddly of The Godfather and pieces of it bear some resemblance in how it was portrayed, which was unexpected.
Additionally, though slow, it feels like it needed to be longer. At two hours, it felt like some things got left out and others were rushed, which hurt the overall film. That being said, the acting really saves this one and it is as strikingly gorgeous production/costume design wise as a period piece should be.
Overall, Elizabeth is an above average biopic of Queen Elizabeth I.
This review of Elizabeth (1998) was written by Spangle on 11 Mar 2016.
Elizabeth has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
