With a strong story and a villainous character that’s way ahead of its time, White Heat strides into a place of greatness worthy of the delusions of its main character, played skillfully by James Cagney.

It transcends the typical trappings of nonfiction film, incorporating techniques typically only found in crime thrillers to make a truly entertaining documentary that’s almost a crowd-pleaser.

Blanchett’s performance carries the period biopic about Britain’s first iconic queen, elevating Elizabeth above the trappings of its genre alongside some technical excellence, earning the film a place among the greatest films of all time.