A sumptuous and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in European history.
The Other Boleyn Girl has had to endure a lot of criticism from the press since its release. Although some of the dialogue is unbelievable (to put it mildly) and the plot represents a daytime soap opera, I feel this is compensated for by the subtle acting techniques and the skilful, faintly claustrophobic atmosphere created by intense up-close discussions between characters.
Americans being cast in the roles of British historical figures has sometimes caused disaster in the film industry, but while watching this film I didn"t feel it were a problem. Natalie Portman succeeds with her finely tuned English accent, producing a vicious cat style performance (sharp claws and all) when confronted with her timid, more humane sister (Scarlet Johansen). Apart from moping around looking like a lost golden retriever, Johansen portrays her repressed passion and inner torment well. Her character, Mary Boleyn manages to win the sexual attention of King Henry (the charismatic Australian Eric Bana), where her sister, Anne, failed at the first hurdle. Bowing to the inevitable, Mary falls pregnant with the King"s child, causing a jealous Anne Boleyn to enter the limelight.
The film isn"t critic friendly, as it mixes modern dialogue with old fashioned problems and morals, making it try to appeal to 21st century audiences and at the same time take itself seriously. On this level it just about scrapes through, hurling impact at viewers during the ending"s expertly judged execution scene (guess who"s execution it is) using a heart achingly melancholy instrumental score that weaves regret and forgiveness between the gazes the two Boleyn girls share with each other.
Long before King Henry VIII became a fat b******* he almost fathered a few of his own: in an apparently entertaining, if fruitless and often shambolic, bid to produce a male heir. 'The Other Boleyn Girl', adapted from Phillipa Gregory's bestseller by director Justin Chadwick in his feature film debut, isn't the kind of movie I usually go for, and though I've got nothing against period drama per say, I just find the genre somewhat repetitive and rarely rewarding. That said, 'The Other Boleyn Girl' is an irreverent, well paced romp centred on ambitious young siblings Mary (Scarlet Johansson) & Ann (Natalie Portman) Boleyn's sordid quest to bed Henry (Eric Bana). 'The Other Boleyn Girl' or 'Oh What A Lovely Reformation' is a bit like a Tudor equivalent of 'The Apprentice'; with a pair of ruthless, highly strung debutantes vying for the approval of a bearded, surly old curmudgeon, but then again, the Boleyn girls aren't entirely to blame, seeing as they're pimped out with nauseating disregard for human decency by their father Sir Thomas (Mark Rylance), The Duke of Norfolk (David Morrissey) and, albeit reluctantly, mother Lady Elizabeth (Kirsten Scott Thomas). After cleaning his apartment, Matt Dillon's 'Factotum' Henry Chinawski took a step back, sighed and dolefully remarked: "I must be turning into a fag". Similar thoughts crossed my mind, as I found myself admiring Sandy Powell's sumptuous costumes and evening gowns; Portman's tree green and turquoise silk were particularly stunning, for they're some beautiful designs on display here and the cast, Portman in particular, wear them with style. We learn a little bit about life in the king's court, and our leads acquit themselves well with presumably accurate dialects/RP, though Bana, in spite of his pitch perfect performance as Hector in 'Troy', can"t quite keep the Adelaide out of his English accent, and sometimes struggles with Peter 'The Queen' Morgan's screenplay. Johansson's Mary Boleyn is clearly positioned as our heroine despite attempts at an even handed narrative and poignant dénouement that laments the futility of sibling rivalry. Bana makes for a strapping, generously handsome Henry who, though he may be laudabilis in his court, is horribilis in the sack whilst Portman's Anne Boleyn is portrayed as somewhat of a scheming super bitch, and it almost seems as if we're supposed to be willing fate to cut this hot-headed harlot down to size. Heads roll, hearts are broken and religions changed, though Henry himself, comes out relatively unscathed and blameless, which, to modern audiences, will seem bizarre at best, and hopelessly anachronistic at worst. 'The Other Boleyn Girl' is a fairly well made and reasonably well acted picture with some fine cinematography from newcomer Kieran McGuigan. I think the lesson here is 'Refrain From Whoredom At All Times' because you'll most probably end up dead or in exile, whilst your exploiters; be they politicos, kings, clerics, false friends or family will simply fade away when push comes to shove, and shove comes to summary execution. And as for those who reside and flourish within that parasitic institution of decadence & deceit known as monarchy? Well, they'll go on as long as society continues to nurture the moral weakness, ignorance and insecurity that exalts blood over merit, status over deeds and power over truth. It's good to be king.
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Big budget Hollywood adaptation of the historical novel by Philippa Gregory. The story is a fictionalised account of the life of Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson) who was mistress to King Henry VIII (Eric Bana) before he married her sister, Anne (Natalie Portman). Set during one of the most dramatic periods in British regal history, the narrative focuses on the relationship and rivalry between the two Boleyn girls and the power game being played by their family in which the sisters are mere pawns. When Mary is ousted in favour of Anne, she leaves the King's Court to marry a commoner, but is compelled to return when her sister embarks on a reckless plan to try and save herself from ruin.
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