Popcorn, Soda, and Goobers - Movie and DVD Reviews and Film Commentary

The Other Boleyn Girl (imdb | book)

Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, can it get any better? Yes. Yes, it can. My girlfriend wanted to see this movie because she was really interested in seeing a drama about princesses and loves medieval costumes. I obliged figuring that a movie about a love triangle between Eric Bana, Natalie Portman, and Scarlett Johansson Henry Tudor and the Boleyn sisters had to be good. Come on. This is the story of Henry Tudor, a lustful horn dog, and the two sisters who vie for his affections. It’s supposed to include beheadings, sexual conquest, and accusations of incest. It’s tailor made to be turned into a high-drama Hollywood flick - and it sure has the cast t do it.

The Other Boleyn Girl is based on the book of the same title. The book was written by Philippa Gregory and adapted to a screenplay by Peter Morgan (The Queen). It’s really just another take on the oft told Henry/Anne Boleyn story, but takes the an interesting twist of focusing on Anne’s lesser known sister, Mary. The book was interesting in the Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code, kind of way in that the author pieced together her fictional rendition using real world sources. The book takes a radical turn in portraying Mary as the younger sister of Anne Boleyn and choosing to show that she was used as a political pawn for the Boleyn family.

Young Mary (Scarlett Johansson) is told by her parents to court King Henry (Eric Bana) despite the fact that she’s already married. They believe that it will be better for the whole family as they will all become members of the royal court. Even Mary’s husband, Sir William Carey, signs on to the deal. Mary is assisted by her quick-witted brother, George (Jim Sturgess), and her scheming sister, Anne (Natalie Portman). The plan is successful though it drives a rift between Anne and Mary. Eventually, a jealous Anne decides to scheme against her sister and win the King’s affections for herself. Anne succeeds but does not realize the trouble she has gotten herself into as the King expects Anne to bear him a son and proper heir to the throne. Anne is unable to, and after a miscarriage, is desperate to hide the truth from the King. She attempts to coerce her brother into helping her get pregnant again, but is eventually ratted out by another member of the court. She and George are sentenced to death. Mary, kind hearted as always, tries to save them, but is forced to run away with her children to live out the rest of her life in the country.

Unfortunately, it seems that somewhere or along the line everyone decided to get together and turn this film into the kind of film 5th grade teachers show their students. The movie feature gorgeous costume and set design, but provides little more beyond it. The sex scenes are limited and lukewarm. The acting is forced and lacks passion. And, the whole story moves at a snails pace with far too many peripheral characters who exist only for fleeting scenes. All-in-all, the whole thing comes out flat and slow.

2-2.5 royal jewels out of 5