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The Other Boleyn Girl

Everything I know of history I learned from the movies. Sad as that is, it is in many ways true. Movies based on history cause me to dig deeper, find the missing pieces and learn how they all fit together to form the picture of the past. The new film The Other Boleyn Girl tells the story of the famous Anne Boleyn and the almost non existent Mary Boleyn. Based on the book by the same name the film gives an account of what Mary's life may very well have consisted of while it shows the tragic story of Anne that we know so well. Though the world may never truly know what happened between the two sisters, this film creates wonderful emotion and revisits a time period when women were possessions and men gave all to lay claim.

Henry Tudor (Eric Bana) is the King of England. His wife, the queen, is unable to give him a male heir. This situation causes a friend of the King to set up a meeting with Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman). His hope is that Anne will find favor with the king, thus solidifying the family's wealth and stature. When the King finds Anne to be a little too head strong his eyes fall upon the younger sister Mary (Scarlett Johansson). In comparison to Anne she is quiet, appealing, and married. The King is so enamored with Mary that he invites her entire family to live with him at court. It is here that the battle between sisters for the affection of the King begins and all of England changes forever.

I thought the casting was perfect. Portman and Johansson have a sisterly quality that was believable and played out well in the film. The essence of their nature helped to solidify their characters and I found myself drawn to each of them for different reasons. I have always admired Johansson's ability to adapt to a role. She can pull off the young blonde goofball in one movie and then transform into a deep, emotional woman in the next. But Portman truly surprised me as she made Anne this smart, devious, headstrong woman who was ruthless in her desires and ambitions. As you see her make the decisions she does you feel for her on one level while despising her motives. You know the end result from history and feel powerless to stop her. This understanding of the end heightens the building tension and adds to the emotion. 

The film looked good too which helped. The costumes, especially those of King Henry, had that royal layering that caused him to walk and move with the swagger of a man in charge of a nation. It added a stature to him that made him larger than life. It was interesting to see a woman the size of Anne bring a King to his knees and rock an entire nation. It showed the power that women have. I found the contrast to Queen Elizabeth fascinating. She was able to stave off her desire for men in order to bring a nation through hard times. This in comparison to her father King Henry, whose inability to control his lust, brought a country to near ruin. Going back to the history lesson it was interesting to me to see Elizabeth's lineage. It made her role in history become even that much more alive. The Other Boleyn Girl is rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, sexual content and some violent images. It is not vulgar or crude in any way and actually says a lot about marriage, fidelity and the problems unfaithfulness can bring. It is also a strong character witness to the power of women, both in doing what is right and the result of following personal desires. The film is a little slower and dramatic than the trailer may show so don't expect every moment to hold intrigue. But it tells the story wonderfully and allows the actors to move and create. Well acted. Beautifully crafted.  I give it 3.75 out of 5 heads on a stick. A heart stirring look at a family torn apart by power.

Matt Mungle (2/26/08)

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and co-hosts a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies, with his wife Cindy. For additional reviews, interview clips and great DVD giveaways, visit the website www.mungleshow.com

Review copyright 2008 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.