Arts & Entertainment Luke Simcoe aeditor@ gmail.com Fishin’ at the Movies Elizabeth: The Golden Age & Michael Clayton : Mark '— .! Fisher ‘\ Elizabeth: The Golden Age I never like it when the previews for a film are intentionally misleading, and that was definitely the case here. I was promised a war to end all wars between England and Spain, and did I get anything even close to that? No. What I got instead was Queen Elizabeth spending most of the film complaining about how hard it is to be Queen. Yeah, I feel really bad for you, that whole absolute power thing must really suck. Her biggest dilemma in the film, rather than the impending war with Spain, is the fact that she can’t have sex with the pirate she’s in love with because it would be viewed as improper. Hey, you’re the Queen! I’m sure there’s a way to make it happen without people knowing. Cate Blanchett gives a good “That whole absolute power you'll still be cheering thing must really suck.” effort as Elizabeth (and looks great her elaborate outfits), but even her acting abilities can’t keep Elizabeth’s whining from getting repetitive, and her habit of reminding people that “I’m the Queen!” anytime they disagree with her is also a bit grating. Blanchett’s delivery of Elizabeth’s speech to the England’s infantry before the Spanish invade is truly moving; it’s too bad they never actually do any fighting as the navy easily defeats the Spanish at sea. It's a shame that the Spanish didn’t receive the screen time they were promised, as the performance of Jordi Molla as King Phillip Il was a pleasure to watch. He was convincing as a megalomaniacal, religious, overlord, and as annoying as Elizabeth’s whining is, for her side—not that you don’t already know who’s_ going to win. King Phillip commits one of the most brilliant and evil acts I’ve seen in a film, but it’s also the film’s major plot twist so I won’t explain it here in case someone reading this plans on seeing the movie in the future. | wouldn’t recommend this film unless you’re a big fan of Cate Blanchett and Clive Owen, or if you’re nuts about Victorian costumes. GEORGE CLOONEY are WILKINSON ey.) SWINTON SO ag POLLACK Michael Clayton I; only real lawyers were as exciting as the ones in Michael Clayton. The film stars George Clooney as the titular character: a “fixer” at a giant law firm. His job is to basically go around and clean up any “messes” that might affect the firm. So, when one of their lawyers on a major case goes berserk during a videotaped court session and strips down naked while professing his overwhelming love for the other side’s witness, who else are they going to turn to? With a premise like that, you might expect the movie to be a comedy, but instead Micheal Clayton examines the serious issues raised by stripping lawyers. What could have possibly made a member of this highly paid profession snap? It’s an interesting question, but initially Michael isn’t very concerned with answering it, he just wants to get the matter covered up and put it behind him. Lots of movies use the character that is “just days away from retirement,” because it’s an instant way to make the audience sympathetic to them (The fact that he’s the single-parent of an adorable little kid doesn’t hurt either). Micheal Clayton wants out of the morally corrupt law business so he can open his own restaurant, and throughout most of the movie he is more concerned about getting the money necessary to do that than trying to “fix” the case. I’d think that a highly paid lawyer would be able to save up for something like that in a short time, but if that were the case then George’s character would have to spend his time actually doing his job, and we can’t have that. now can we? Despite my problems with the movie's plot, I still couldn’t help but enjoy it due to the strength of the performances. When George Clooney’s character actually starts caring about his job, he does some of his strongest work ever, and absolutely brings the house down in the film’s final scene. [Editor’s note: a stunning final scene in a movie about lawyers!! Shocking!] Tom Wilkinson will almost certainly get nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Arthur, the lawyer who goes nuts. He managed to keep me in suspense as to whether or not he’s completely lost it or if he actually knows something that would explain his behaviour. Even in the stripping scene, he’s convincing, and that’s saying something. Despite her limited screen time, Tilda Swinton may get a Supporting Actress nod for her role as the film’s “villain.” Altogether, I'd recommend seeing this movie. Despite its somewhat soft storyline it’s an exciting hlm with good pertormances throughout, and the last scene 1s a must for any fan of Clooney.