I thought it an exquisite rendition - I consider Duff showed Elizabeth's vulnerability, and great effort when she had to be tough. It must have in reality been a horrible life for Elizabeth.... charged with having to keep England safe, powerful ambitious deceitful men all around her trying to manipulate her for their own agendas constantly, not knowing whose advice to trust at any given time - and on top of that not being able to indulge in her one true love and having to also keep him at an emotional distance while keeping him around for her personal needs.... and keeping him from being killed by rivals and scheming courtiers.. as she depended so much on their history of friendship and love to feel she had anyone at all in her corner. She could never just step out of her life (and her constant duties) to be herself, never able to let down her guard - what a horrible life it must have made.
I thought Tom Hardy as Dudley was supberb - the best Robby to date I say. He and Duff's characters were the most up close and personal dipiction of the relationship, so far. Tom Hardy's presence all but eclipsed Duff's. I thought they were evenly matched and did portray a deep attachment for each other. My favourite scene was when he lifted her onto the horse and rode her through the bushes, for an instance her youth reborn - and I thought the music perfect for that scene and as it hauntingly played at various intervals throughout.
Whether true or not, I consider this version captured their frustrated romance and passion for each other in an impossible scenario in history. Not at all unbelievable.
This 'The Virgin Queen' was my favorite version of the Elizabeth I movies. But I admit it was mostly due to Tom Hardy's dynamic portrayal in it.
Matrixflower :)
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