First off I want to point out that many people have criticised this film as being historically inaccurate - which it is, but if you want history, read a textbook, this is Hollywood.

I'm not going to analyse the film the way some people do, but I will say that it is very gripping right from the start and the soundtrack can, at times, be quite haunting. You also barely notice the transition that Elizabeth goes through as she struggles to secure her throne, but the film flashes backwards through her life at the end and you realise then exactly how much her character has changed.
This film is very strong in every way and I fully recommend it, however the only criticism that I have, is that the subtitles do not automatically 'activate' and translate the french conversations, something which they are supposed to do.