I am a big fan of Helen Mirren and I thought her acting was stupendous however I have a difficult time with how this movie portrayed the Queen. Someone of her stature, experience and upbringing would not have acted like a high school teenager in love. She was very composed and dignified as history has well documented. I think the director was going for a "hollywood" type film with all the drama and carrying on. She was not a hysterical type woman. She may have been when she was alone but nothing is documented as to her hysterical behavior in the film. The version with Glenda Jackson was a much better portrayal of how Elizabeth I conducted herself in front of her people. Let's remember Elizabeth I was England's most powerful and best ruler. I believe this was the influence of the director and not the actor.
Review of Elizabeth I
