February 29, 2008

Movie review: "The Other Boleyn Girl"

By Stan Dyer

When I saw this movie started Friday, I was not too sure I wanted to view it. I like history and period costumes, but the 16 th century is not my area of expertise. To be exact, I know next to nothing about the period. Nonetheless, I went and I was happy I did. This is an excellent movie, whether you know the history or not, and I recommend it for anyone who either enjoys history or loves a good drama.

The reviews of the film I read were not that good, but I do not know why. I can understand the British being a bit upset about the way Anne Boleyn is portrayed and that the best British parts went to foreigners, but, other than that, the movie is a gem. It features a good cast, good acting, and almost flawless direction. The sets, costumes and story are captivating from start to finish. Judging from the number of women in the audience, this is definitely a "chick flick", but I think most guys will like it too, and they are sure to win favor with their dates if they choose to take them to this film.

The story is an adaptation of a novel of the same name by Philippa Gregory. It is the story of two sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn whose father encourages them to gain favor with the King, Henry Tudor. The original idea is for Anne to become the King's mistress, but after a riding accident, the King's eye turns toward her sister, Mary. Even though both the King and Mary are married, it does not stop them from conceiving a child. Since they are not married, Mary and her child are sent away to avoid scandal, and sister Anne steps in. The King wants Anne to be his new mistress, but she refuses to have relations with him unless they are married. The King has his own marriage annulled and loses favor with the Catholic Church. The Church of England is born. After the King and Anne are married, she is successful in giving him a child, but it is a daughter, and not the male heir he desired. The baby girl, Elizabeth, will eventually go on to rule England for 45 years.

Anne tries to give the King a male heir, but the pregnancy ends abruptly in a stillbirth. In desperation, she conspires to have her brother, George, plant his seed inside of her and call it the King's, but the two cannot consummate the deal. Nonetheless, George's wife sees the two go into the bedchamber and reports the perceived incest and adultery to officials. If you know history, you pretty much know what happens next. Mary tries to persuade the King to save her siblings, and you will have to either read the book or see the movie to find out how successful she was.

There is no doubt in my mind that this movie is an "A+". OK, so I'll be kicked out of the Man's Club, but it is a compelling movie that I could find no fault with at all. I do not know how correct the history is or any of the costuming, but I enjoyed it all. It was like "well-done" Shakespeare in a language everyone can understand. In fact, I found this to be the most interesting period piece since the version of "Romeo and Juliet" that featured Olivia Hussey as Juliet. I also felt that Natalie Portman's portrayal of Anne Boleyn at times had the sense of Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind", including some of the costuming. That really rings true when her mother begins a sentence with, "As God is my witness..." Whether the story is factual or not, I cannot say, but it is a good one in any era.

Just the facts:

Title: "The Other Boleyn Girl"

Director: Justin Chadwick

Genre: Drama, History

Rating: PG-13

Run Time: One hour, fifty five minutes.

Cast:

Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn

Scarlett Johansson as Mary Bolen

Eric Bana as King Henry Tudor, (Henry VII)

Jim Sturgess as George Boleyn

Kristin Scott Thomas as Lady Elizabeth Boleyn

David Morrissey as The Duke of Norfolk