Of Swords and Parasols

So, I was tempted to make this post "Clive Owen stole Cate Blanchett's girlfriend," but I doubt I could get away with that.

Before I start, I should probably mention that I haven't seen the first movie starring Cate Blanchett.  I like Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush a lot,  but I don't care as much for Joseph Fienes.  Fiennes.  Whatever.  While I enjoyed Shakespeare In Love, he didn't impress me much and he...he always seems kinda greasy and weaselly looking to me.  I feel very, very bad saying that, but it's true.  Here, he's replaced by Clive Owen.  I approve, as I'm quite fond of him.  Also, the more skanky aspects I've heard about the first movie are gone.

The movie focuses on Elizabeth's steadily increasing problems with Spain and Mary Stuart, as well as her relationships with Walter Raleigh, a privateer, and Bess Throckmorton, one of Elizabeth's Ladies In Waiting, who eventually marry.  Historical fact, not movie spoiler.  The acting is great all around, the visuals are stunning, and the plot is pretty well done.  While I freely admit that my knowledge of the period (like most time periods) is more general than specific, nothing leapt out at me as "no, wrong."  I do have one criticism though, which is that,
The most interesting part, however, was Elizabeth's relationships with Bess and Raleigh.  In many ways, it's set up to be a triangle of Elizabeth/Raleigh/Bess.  In many ways, though, it felt more like Elizabeth/Bess/Raleigh.  While Elizabeth's feelings for Bess didn't strike me as romantic, it was obvious from the start that the two women loved each other very much.  Much of Elizabeth's interest in Raleigh seemed to be centered around Bess's interest, increasing Elizabeth's natural interest, and her comments to Bess about Bess's interest in Raleigh, and Raleigh's interest in Bess, were very, very close to the stereotypical possessive boyfriend explaining how only he could ever like his girlfriend.  When Elizabeth learns of Bess and Raleigh's relationship, it's Bess's perceived betrayal that she takes harder, and Bess is the one she cviews as having been stolen, not Raleigh.

For his part, Raleigh never struck me as romantically loving Elizabeth.  Completely awestruck by her, and smitten with her confidence and power, but his love, while absolute, always seemed to be that of a subject to a beloved ruler, not a man to a woman.  Instead of taking the standard romantic triangle route, the movie seems to take the less0used approach that love comes in many varieties, not just romantic and familial.  While I think both Bess and Raleigh loved Elizabeth more than they loved each other, I don't think romantic feelings were ever and issue, save that their love for each other was a betrayal of their love for Elizabeth, and her love for them, because it was a love and relationship that conflicted with the absolute love and devotion Elizabeth demanded.  

For the most part, Elizabeth struck me as viewing Bess and Raleigh as what she wanted.  Bess the young, beautiful girl everyone likes, because she's kind and pretty, Raleigh the dashing, romantic figure and fulfillment of girlish dreams.  I think the best example of this is the scene where
Anyway, an excellent movie, IMO, and there's no need to see Elizabeth first.  I haven't, and had no problems following it.

Now, all that said:  Elizabeth Tudor:  The original baby kissing politician?  Yes or no? 

 Elizabeth: The Golden Age came out this week...and I am off next Thurs-Sat(and for those who have my work schedule memorized-you know who you are-I'm working Weds)  I know what I shall hopefully do with at least 2 hours of my time.

(The main thing about those days, though, is the major local booksale...hopefully it will be managed MUCH better than it was last year...which really wouldn't be too hard...)