An extravagant treat for history buffs, this sequel to the 1998 Academy Award-winning film Elizabeth reunites the Australian-born acting duo Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush for another great performance.
From the moment The Golden Age begins, it's clear that religion weighs heavily on the plot. Much of the film revolves around Philip of Spain's (Molla) conspiracy with Mary Stuart (Morton) to overthrow England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth (Blanchett). Religious tension between these leaders escalates the conflict to a full-fledged holy war. At the same time, we see the queen's vulnerable side as she falls into a love triangle due to her interest in the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh (Owen). By the end of the movie, Queen Elizabeth becomes a multidimensional figure - not only a beloved queen, but also a strong woman.
Despite the fact that the costumes and the cinematography are visually breathtaking, the film is slow at times. This slowness is underscored by the extensive European history necessary to really appreciate the complexities of the film's storyline. All that aside, if you're willing to pay attention, this is certainly a more enjoyable way of learning history than reading a textbook.
