(please note that, as suggested by Misty I am changing the color of my links.)
A week ago the Movie Whore reviewed “Elizabeth: Age of Reason”. Bozo had provided a list of possible movies to review that are NOT new releases, so that Bozo could participate in the ensuing conversation, but the Movie Whore I the Movie Whore (shut up!) picked up the wrong DVD, only noting that we needed the “Elizabeth” with Cate Blanchett.
We have corrected our mistake. (and “we” are calmly going schizophrenic in the meantime.)
So this is the original Elizabeth (1997?) starring Cate Blanchett and Geoffery Rush.
Once again, the Movie Whore wonders how much is based on fact and how much was Hollywoodized.
Either way, Cate makes a lovely, young Princess Elizabeth. Like with its sequel, there was a heavy emphasis on the romance angle, which really is not the reason I watch a movie, but as the movie neared the end, I could understand the emphasis, since that made her entrance as “the Virgin Queen” more poignant.
A friend of mine - “The Nurse” who you read about here has a total crush on Cate Blanchett. We’ve had fun with that crush, believe me! But the Movie Whore can see the allure. Cate Blanchett brings a warmth and depth to this poor young girl whose half-sister wants her dead, and who is thrust into a leadership role she’s ill-prepared for. It’s hard to believe this is the same person who would later portray Galadriel in the LOTR movies!
The best example of how deeply the actress is entrenched in the role is when Elizabeth is practicing her speech before appearing to parliament. She’s so clearly distressed and concerned about how to get it exactly right. The actress in me loves that scene.
The Movie Whore got very opinionated about the various men involved:
“Finally! It’s about time she got rid of that tool Sir William. Lord Walsingham is much more subtle, and tactful, and actually looks out for her.”
“Ha! I KNEW that stupid Lord Robert was a bad’un! She was setting herself up for disaster all along. It pays to vet your suitors, queenie! Seriously, if my suitor was flirting with my ladies-in-waiting I’d kick him to the curb!”
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| Darth Inquisitor! |
“Hey, how did a Sith Lord get in Elizabethan England?” [spoken about the black-robed Daniel Craig character] “That’s pretty awesome."
Overall, The Movie Whore finds the movie Elizabeth to be beautiful and interesting. It’s slow in parts, but maybe that’s because there’s just too much to get it all in gracefully?
And the Movie Whore LOVES the excellent soundtrack.
What’s that music playing when she confronts Lord Robert after all the others were sent to the Tower? I recognize it…is it Beethoven? I can’t quite place it… It flows seamlessly into the music that plays when Elizabeth enters the court and proclaims herself “The Virgin Queen”, married to her country. Finally it got to a point where I can place it: Mozart’s Requiem. Oooh. Chills.
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| The score to Mozart's Requiem. I'd add a music file, if I could. |
It is no wonder that Bozo loves that scene the most. Music can tell a story that is heard most clearly by the soul. Even the non-musical person can be surprised by their reaction to powerful music. (And classical-style music, more than any, evokes this emotional response.)
So, if you play Mozart’s Requiem, what do you hear?
You hear mourning.
The sounds of sorrow.
Then a dying soul rises above the mourning,
as if trying to elevate itself above the mourners.
You don’t need to understand the Latin of the lyrics to feel the meaning of the music! That mourning? It applies not only to Mozart’s death, but is just as suitable to depict Elizabeth’s “re-virgination” and denial of her true love!
And today's Something to Celebrate:
It's Barbra Streisand's birthday! (70th) Whatever you think of her personal choices, you cannot deny the musical talent that she has!
I think I'll put in Hello Dolly as a movie to pack to tonight, in her honor.
Hurray! Here's my movie! I haven't seen it since it came out - so I needed to read this to bring it back.
ReplyDeleteOf course, even after reading this, my memory isn't good enough to really discuss it. The only point that truly stands out for me is her entrance as the Virgin Queen! So powerful...
I should watch it again so that I have more to say!
By the way, do you watch the TV House MD? This is its last season and I do NOT like the way it's going...
I'm telling you, the reason that scene stands out is because of the amazing music in the background! Music is the world's puppet-master. Dance, puppets, dance!
DeleteI have watched that show, but obviously not for quite some time, since I no longer have TV. Why do they always wreck shows right before they go off the air!
I'm sure the music played a major roll - but the acting at that moment was pretty good too.
DeleteI mean, I thought she did a great job portraying the hurt that she went through, and consequentially, the determined stand that she took as the Virgin Queen. Also, the secondary characters responded/acted very well at that moment (if I remember correctly).
About House... unless it's just a trick, which is possible since House and Wilson are always at it, the end is not going to be good. I don't know what's wrong with having a happy ending!
I haven't watched this movie in soooo long... I think I might dig out my dusty old VHS copy and have another watch this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll probably purchase it. I like the casting and everything, but it's kind of too romantic for my tastes.
DeleteWe watched this movie in class at the end of last term. It was extremely mushy and romantic, not quite to my taste. But the actors are all amazing and the plot really interesting. It was definately enough to keep me watching!
ReplyDeleteExactly. It's an awesome cast.
DeleteYay for different colored links! I can see them, now. Hooray!
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember this movie. What I remember most about it is that it is one of the movies I watched by myself when my then boyfriend now hubs was sent away for a couple months on active duty so many years ago. I remember the scene you mentioned about her coronation, but not any real details. I think I enjoyed it, but remember it being slow.
There aren't a lot of memorable scenes. I loved when she practiced her speech, and there's an early scene before the original coronation when she was dancing outside, which is really some lovely imagery but also began all the mushiness.
DeleteI think we need to just inject random Jedi into any movie. I wish there was a button I could push that would make Jedi rush into movies I wasn't enjoying and starting cutting up bad guys. I'm sleep deprived.
ReplyDeleteSeriously! Doesn't that guy look like Darth Maul under with that cloak? A little light saber action would liven up any movie.
Delete...although I think they were going for more historical accuracy type thing here.