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review: elizabeth, the golden age (2007)
By vrtualme | October 27, 2007
I think Cate Blanchett (Oscar winner for The Aviator 2004) could sit back and just make a career out of playing queen Elizabeth I. She pulled it off seamlessly for a second time in Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007). A performance good enough that it should secure her at least another nomination, if not another little gold man for her mantle. This time around she’s up against King Philip II of Spain played by Jordi Mollà (Blow 2001) who has no less than eleven movies scheduled for next year. 
But the man to watch here is Clive Owen (Oscar nominee for Closer 2004) playing adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh, the second man to ever capture the virgin queen’s heart. I seem to be more and more attracted to Mr. Owen with each of his performances. The costumes (by Alexandra Byrne who earn an Oscar nod for Elizabeth 1998) and set decorations (by Richard Roberts - Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) are stunning. Can you imagine what the world would look like if people still dressed like that? also note worthy is the direction by Shekhar Kapur (surprisingly not nominated for the first Elizabeth), and the supporting performances by Geoffrey Rush (Oscar winner for Shine 1996) and Samantha Morton (Oscar nominee for Sweet and Lowdown 1999 and In America 2002). Here’s the official website.