I have seen both Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and will refer to both films throughout this post - however, I want to focus more on the second one, as the film that's more focused on Queen Elizabeth I as the established monarch, a woman of experience and a clever politician, rather than the young Elizabeth who was forced to fear her every step under her Catholic sister's rule and whose ascend to power was not likely at all at that time.
I really liked the trailer before I saw the film, and that's why I'd like to start with one of the main themes — it was clearly established in the trailer and dominated a lot of the plot in the movie as well.
«We mortals have many weaknesses; we feel too much, hurt too much,
or too soon we die, but we do have the chance of love.»
Sir Walter Raleigh
The idea of kings and queens being fundamentally different from their people is crucial to monarchy — royal families live by a different set of rules up to this day, in 21st century, never mind mid-16th. Where ordinary people can get away with marrying for love, the highest society ranks can't afford the simple pleasures and even the smallest mistakes. Their words, actions and signs of affection have too much weight on the political arena.
Marriage is a political statement for royals
The concept of marrying for a political alliance may seem outdated, yet it stands - one of the most recent marriages between prince Harry and Meghan Markle has caused a stir. It was not only a marriage for love (which it certainly is), but also a bold political statement: a member of the royal family demonstrating the values his country should aim to possess. He might not have married a princess of a neighbouring state, but prince Harry certainly established an 'alliance' with the people represented by the new Duchess of Essex — men and women of colour and mixed race, whether they are British citizens or not.
Private life of Queen Elizabeth I
Of course, all that was one of the most important aspects of Elizabeth's life — she was one of the first women of England to rule in her own right. Even her half-sister Mary I did eventually get married to Philip II of Spain, although she successfully overthrew nine days queen Jane Grey and started ruling England by herself. That, combined with the struggle to reassure the nation of a peaceful transition of power after monarch's death during the Tudors' rule, made Elizabeth a real target for gossip and public attention. The film focuses not only on her leadership in times of crisis and standing up to Catholic Spain, but also Elizabeth's private life.
The problem I have with Elizabeth: The Golden Age is the portrayal of Elizabeth as a ruler and a woman. She is supposed to be different from all other 'mortals' — married only to her country and not free to give her heart away, unless it is beneficial for England.
The real Elizabeth I
Yet she was a flirtatious and beautiful woman — everyone knew of the scandalous reputation of Robert Dudley and his intimate friendship with the 'virgin queen'. She was no stranger to sex, having been in a strange relationship with her stepmother’s last husband. When Elizabeth was 13 years of age and was staying with Dowager Queen Katherine Parr at Sudeley castle and her fourth husband Thomas Seymour, the young princess was the constant target of his sexual attentions. The rumour, confirmed by her governess, was that Seymour often came to Elizabeth's bedroom in the mornings and reached out for her buttocks.
The Golden Age Elizabeth I
Elizabeth in The Golden Age is a knowledgable, mature woman who understands both her duty to the country, has been through a lot already - and longs for love. Yet it is not mere longing. Almost every scene points out how jealous she is of her lady-in-waiting and her freedom to have what a queen can't have. She is jealous, lustful and desperately in love with Walter Raleigh - and the film almost makes us believe that this feeling is as blinding as first love.
This is Elizabeth the woman. Restricted by her title and desperate to enjoy simple pleasures, such as falling in love and, to put it plainly, have sex like any other beautiful woman wants.
The is one problem in The Golden Age portrayal of Elizabeth as a woman
The film presents this wise, fierce, independent woman. Facing terrible danger, assassinations and a war with the most powerful country in Europe - just like her historical counterpart, with courage and wisdom. However, in the attempt to present her human side and make her relatable, the filmmakers (the director or Cate Blanchett herself) made her look weak, desperate and neurotic. For an experienced monarch who survived her half-sister's oppressive rule even in the first Elizabeth, for a woman used to being the subject of public attention, she reveals her fears and insecurities way too easily.
Elizabeth I couldn't afford such expression of passion
Think of the dancing scene, when Elizabeth loses her temper and reveals in a very uncontrolled, almost hysterical manner her jealousy and, to be quite honest, sexual needs? No matter how frustrating it can be, I struggle to believe that a mature woman would be so reckless as to do it. And even if she lost control once - she would have learnt her lesson and never repeat that mistake because of the rumours and attacks on her ability to rule England as a rational, wise regent that the outburst would cause.
Can you imagine the scandal? Especially after what happened with Dudley - the whole of England gossiping that she could be behind his wife's death? Wise and cautious Elizabeth wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Not so blunt a mistake, anyway.
But the film's Elizabeth is not the graceful woman she should be, given her age and life experience. It is not even about glamorizing her and assuming she's perfect, not at all. Just finding a slightly different, less neurotic way of expressing vulnerability. Maybe it would have been wiser to express it in private, rather than on show, in front of strangers - just when she's one-on-one with Bess? Or completely on her own?
That was the only thing that didn't click for me in Elizabeth: The Golden Age. It is always great to see a strong character's vulnerability, yet Cate Blanchett's Elizabeth is almost two completely different characters that don't actually blend in that well into one. The blatant lack of self-awareness at certain moments, clearly aimed to highlight Elizabeth's humanity, simply doesn't work. You don't empathize with her, actually, but start judging her - as if she actually was a hysterical, hormonal woman, unfit to rule England. Which was obviously not the case - historically, she was that one woman who was in control of her emotions and was capable of ignoring her instincts and selfish desires for the greater good of her country. Which she does eventually in the film, standing up to Spain, of course. Only I wish there was more of that, since her character gives so much to interpret for the director and the actress. There's so much charisma, and experiences that she entails as a historical figure, that breaking it down into an insecure, overly jealous and emotional woman who's lost her youth - it seems like an understatement for a film called Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
Related articles:
Robert Dudley: Queen Elizabeth I’s great love, History Extra
Elizabeth I & Her Lovers, History Undressed
Queen Elizabeth’s Marriage Prospects, Tudor Dynasty
Timeline of a Queen: Elizabeth I, Tudor Dynasty
Everything wrong with Elizabeth: The Golden Age, History in the (Re)making