Anne Hathaway Says Cate Blanchett's Performance in This Historical Drama Is "Absolutely Extraordinary"

Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth brought worldwide fame and an Oscar nomination to Cate Blanchett – it became one of the most striking examples of late 20th-century historical cinema, earning seven Academy Award nominations.

Anne Hathaway Has Nothing but Praise for Cate Blanchett's Performance in 'Elizabeth'

Oscar winner Anne Hathaway called Blanchett's performance "absolutely extraordinary" and declared that every actor should see Elizabeth.

Hathaway, who understands the value of complex dramatic roles, found Blanchett's performance to be revelatory:

“I believe Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth is a performance that every actor should see, because it's completely lived-in. She's not just breathing as the character: her skin is reacting as the character. It's a cellular performance. It's absolutely extraordinary, absolutely beyond. I wanna go watch it immediately.”

Blanchett won her first Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for this role, which began her path to earning two more statuettes.

What Is 'Elizabeth' About?

The movie is set in England in 1554 following the death of Queen Mary Tudor. Her half-sister, Elizabeth, the daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, unexpectedly ascends to the throne at age 25.

Elizabeth finds herself at the center of a dangerous maelstrom of political intrigue, religious conflict, and palace conspiracy. The Catholic Church and European monarchs refuse to recognize her as the rightful ruler. Meanwhile, a plot to overthrow her and place Mary of Scotland on the throne is brewing within the country.

Elizabeth must contend with both external enemies and those around her, including people she once trusted. The only person to whom she can open her heart is Robert Dudley.

'Elizabeth' Is a Political Drama Hidden Behind a Romantic Facade

Unlike many historical movies that emphasize romance, Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth is primarily a political thriller – the director is more interested in the main character's struggle for power and survival than in her romantic experiences.

Elizabeth is portrayed as a woman who must be stronger than her age and gender allow in order to hold onto the crown and save the country from religious wars. The film contains many scenes of palace intrigue, betrayal, and executions, reminding us that the price of power was incredibly high in those days.

The success of Elizabeth was followed by a sequel, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, in which the actress reprised her famous role. However, it is the first movie that remains an unrivaled masterpiece.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Elizabeth'?

• Elizabeth has 83% from critics and 86% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.4/10.

• On Letterboxd, Elizabeth scored 3.6/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Elizabeth'?

Elizabeth is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.