Movie Review - The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl Gone are the traditional portly stances of Henry VIII as he pursued the young beauties in his court. Young, virile, athletic, demanding, sensual are adjectives that come to mind when looking at Eric Bana’s portrayal of Henry in The Other Boleyn Girl. Centred around the Boleyn family’s interaction, deception, intrigue and manipulation, The Other Boleyn Girl portrays both Anne [Natalie Portman] and Mary [Scarlett Johansson] as sisters who have their lives inextricably changed when Henry visits their home for a weekend. Amidst the pomp and social events, it has been arranged by Anne’s father [Mark Rylance] and her uncle, Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk [David Morrisey] that Anne will be put forward as a mistress for Henry. After a hunting accident, it falls to Anne to care for the King and his focus changes to her leading to animosity between the sisters. Anne bears Henry a daughter but soon falls out of favour with him when she fails to deliver the long sought after male heir. Enter Anne after a period in the French court. Anne is an intellectual match for Henry and soon finds favour with him. When Henry’s divorce from Katherine of Aragon is finalised, including the historical breaking with the Roman Catholic Church, Henry weds Anne and she is crowned Queen of England. She bears Henry a daughter, Elizabeth, but also fails to bear the male heir. The saga continues …. Jane Seymour comes to court …… Justin Chadwick, Director, makes the most of the story with tight scripting that enable the cast to develop believable characters. The luxurious costuming and sets add to the feel of realism supported by an empathetic soundtrack. The overall historical events may have been accurate with the conversations although fictionalised support with believability. The Other Boleyn Girl I thoroughly enjoyed especially with the radical overhaul of Henry. Another DVD to be added to my collection.