So in all honesty, I did not leave the film feeling like I
had a good sense of who Elizabeth really was. I understand that the film was
only focused on the early years of her reign, but I felt like there could have
been a little less dance scenes and a little more badass Elizabeth scenes. The
film intended to depict Elizabeth’s evolution from a timid, nervous, young
queen to a more assertive, powerful queen. But even until the end when she
orders the murder of all those bishops, it was Sir Francis that orchestrated
it. The end was definitely her taking control of her identity by cutting her
hair and all that business, and we are left to assume that following what was
depicted on film, she finally took control.
The film was entirely focused on Elizabeth’s gender and the
constant pressure on her to find a man. The “you are only a woman” lines were
really, really annoying.
By the end, I felt
just as exhausted from hearing Sir William reminding her she needs to lock it
down with someone. Not only was there pressure to run a country that as it war,
but to then find a proper suitor on top of it! That is still extremely
difficult in 2016! (Enter exhausted face emoticon). So in that way, the film felt a little bit
like a romance story with a monarchy in the background. But I must say the
scene where she catches Duke Anjou in drag was pretty hilarious! He added some
much needed comedic appeal.
One aspect I thought was interesting about the film was how
they depicted Elizabeth as no virgin at all! I went in with an expectation that
there probably were going to be sex scenes, but none that involved Elizabeth,
so that was a little shocking. But it made the character seem more likable; she
wasn’t as frigid as I thought she was. The first scene where she is dancing
around outside with her ladies in waiting helped with that too. She actually
seemed playful and free-spirited. I wonder if she kept those qualities after
she was ‘re-born’ into the Elizabeth we now know; the pale-faced, wig adorned
“virgin” queen we know now.
Hey Krystle!
ReplyDeleteI loved how you mentioned the idea of Elizabeth's virginity in the movie. I think I view myself more as a realist when it comes to history. I figure if there was a bustling brothel community in ancient Rome then sexuality throughout any culture comes to the forefront in any capacity.
I like to think that girls in any era could fool around with whoever and make mistakes just like girls in our era do. The fact that they had Elizabeth as being unchaste makes her more real. Back then, I'm sure more women waited to get married until they had sex but I'm also sure women went with their gut feelings and let hormones lead the way.
So to add the element that a QUEEN had premarital sex made the movie more likable and made her more real to me because it made her seem like a real person and not someone made up to be something she's not.