Feb 05, 2009 12:59 PM
1387 Views
Be it a director’s dream or editor’s mastery, be it a designer’s biggest challenge or a musician’s greatest achievement Elizabeth by Shekhar Kapur is a marvel. Produced by Universal Pictures, this film had bagged several awards:
Jenny Shircore won the Oscar for Best Makeup. It had won the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film and the leading lady Cate Blanchett won Best Actress in a Leading Role. Remi Adefarasin won Best Cinematography, Jenny Shircore won Best Makeup & Hair, and David Hirschfelder won the Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music. Cate Blanchett was also awarded best actress in a Motion Picture Drama at the 56th Golden Globe Awards held in 1999.
It is hard to believe that a film completed in 45 days can be so amazing and complete. From every aspect it was simply the best. Characterization was perfect and for that matter Cat Blanchett was at her best. Her facial expression showed the boldness of the virgin queen whereas the her glistening eyes spoke loads about her emotions. Since the film deals with the first part of the queen’s life and achievement, it is imperative to note a lot of changes in her character, which was made noticeable by Cate’s acting fervor.
Story: The plot encapsulates Elizabeth’s life after coronation. In 1558, after Roman Catholic Mary I of England, half sister of Elizabeth, dies of a cancerous tumor , Protestant Elizabeth, who was jailed for a supposed conspiracy to murder Mary 1 gets coronated as Queen.
The film depicts the queen’s life and emotions being courted by suitors (Henri, Duc d'Anjou, the future King Henry III of France, and William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley whom she rejects). She has refused the offers as she was aware of her stature and feared to lose it after her marriage.
Elizabeth found more advantages in remaining single as this was her way to avoid the loss of authority to her husband and the dangers of childbirth, while using her eligibility for political gain: However, she has been shown to have a secret affair with her childhood sweetheart, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.
The plot also unravels how the virgin queen handles with care her image and fights against all the conspiracies to emerge as the mother figure to her masses. The film beautifully ends with Elizabeth assuming the persona of 'The Virgin Queen', and initiating England's Golden Age.
Technically speaking, though Shekhar kapur has taken much advantage of history but the crux of it as the episode of empowering of a woman leaves you spellbound. It is a must watch for all.
