Friday, March 07, 2008
My left-margin links now include 'Jesse on the Brink,' the wild adventures and commentary of Jesse Archer, Thomas' friend who wrote the terrific book 'You Can Run: Gay, Glam and Gritty Travels in South America.'
I'm Coming, Elizabeth...
No cause for a Sanford-style heart attack, the film 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age' takes even more liberties with its subject than did the 1998 'Elizabeth,' of which it is the 'sequel.' That earlier film held together better dramatically - this update is carried solely by Cate Blanchett's formidable acting acumen, and by perfect sets and costumes..Even the poster is slightly cheesy: 'Elizabeth: Woman, Warrior, Queen!' I bet Blanchett could play Hillary just as well. Heck, she's convincing as Bob Dylan (see my post of Feb 1 on 'I'm Not There')
On to the 5 parameters!
1. Four Words That Encapsule: "Lavish Historical Opus Bombs"
2. Haikus (5/7/5)
a. 'a trip back in time
needs more than costumes and sets,
needs better script, plot'
b. 'eight figure budget,like the mighty Spanish fleet,
sinks without a trace'
3. Oblique Commentary: a) Elizabeth I was actually 53 when Britian defeated the Spanish Armada, but Cate Blanchett's version is forty-something, still sorting through marriage proposals in the hope of continuing the royal line... b) If 'Shakespeare in Love' occupies the same universe, than Cate Blanchett would turn into white-haired, roly-poly Judi Dench in about 10-15 years. Interesting that the two stars of the much-superior 'Notes on a Scandal' share this Elizabethan connection. Dench got an supporting Oscar for her 'Liz'... c) click this Wikipedia link for the LONG list of dramatic licenses taken by this movie..
4. Insight: This movie's almost a 'how not to make historical drama.' For films in this genre to be high-quality - and many have been - they should be long on dialogue and character - they should transport you to a time and place as a participant, not as a member of a circus audience.. 'Golden Age' is a melodramatic and over the top. Fitfully, it won one Oscar, and the right one - Best Costume Design.
5. Link: Metacritic Review Summary. Oh dear, 45 average based on 35 reviewers - this is a C-; If you really like Blanchett, as I do, that could rise to C+ or even B-...
And here's the trailer, which amply demonstrates what's good and bad about the film....
Cartoons du Jour:
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