Word: cate
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...watch Hollywood films, which I know have been written to a three-act structure that's been taught in class at UCLA." Though he has made forays into Hollywood in the past--including the film version of his play Plenty (which is being revived next month in London starring Cate Blanchett)--he is now resolved to experiment only within his chosen genre...
...smart one. Neophytedirector Shekhar Kapur made a perfect mess of thealready-thin plot by attempting to cover up itsgaping holes with purple velvet and big, shinyswords. Want to toss historical accuracy out thewindow? Fine. Want to direct a period piece likean Aerosmith video? Okay. But must you givetalented lead Cate Blanchett such an atrociousscreenplay to work from? Must you so steadfastlyrefuse to permit your title character theslightest bit of development until the last reel?Kapur's film may have conned enough dopey Academymembers to secure it a nomination, but inevitablecomparisons to Shakespeare in Love ("thatother Elizabethan film") will destroy Elizabeth...
...Fiennes takes the emoting-from-the-eyes technique to another level. The director of each film takes advantage of this tremendous asset with gigantic loving close-ups, making his eyes at least three feet long on the silver screen. When he looks at his lady loves, Gwyneth Paltrow or Cate Blanchett, it is certainly with the utmost sincerity and pathos. A cheap Hollywood trick or some darn good acting? It's up to you to decide...
...Elizabeth, which traces the early bumps of the title character's Golden Age reign, Fiennes takes a backseat to the Virgin Queen, Cate Blanchett. Again, Fiennes the philanderer takes on the guise of a lovesick puppy who sacrifices everything for his one true thing. His passionate declarations of loyalty play off nicely against the sweet princess turned ice queen. The cinematographic cop-outs distract from the fluidity of the film, as does the production design, which uses color and shadow to beat the symbolic dead horse. That's the curse of the artsy indie, I guess. The film does have...
With the emergence of Joseph Fiennes, Hollywood has discovered another talented leading man. His performances make both films worth seeing, though Shakespeare in Love is the better deal in the package. Gwyneth Paltrow is simply more engaging than Cate Blanchett is, though perhaps the fault lies with the screenplay and cinematography rather than with the innate abilities of the actresses. Paltrow, Rush, and Dench will compete for the little golden boys on Oscar night. But if pitted against Spielberg and a world war, they would probably have to defer to Goliath this time around...