This was an Oscar nominated film so it must be good right? well, that's not the entire story. The film traces Queen Elizabeth I's rise to power and turning a diminishing kingdom into a world power. Personally, this film concentrates too much on her pre-queen era and her affair love with Joseph Fiennes, from "Shakespeare in Love." I'd rather see more of her success stories in politics. Also, the fact that Fiennes was in both "Shakespeare" and "Elizabeth" was the worst part of all. I kept thinking he was Shakespeare. Well, maybe he was and that's why in "Shakespeare" the queen decides to split the lovers apart for vengeance. Good film overall. Made me fall asleep. Oh look out for the "freaky" love making...very disturbing. This gets 2 go's since it was overrated.