Freedom060286 The screen writing for The Other Boleyn Girl was disappointing. It was historically inaccurate and quite different from the book by Philippa Gregory. However, there are some exemplary performances from Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana (although he looks nothing like red-haired Henry VIII), Jim Sturgess, Mark Rylance, Eddie Redmayne, Ana Torrent and Kristin Scott Thomas. An exception is Natalie Portman, who has excelled in other roles, but she was not really the right person to play Anne Boleyn.The cinematography is superb and the costumes are splendid.It would have been better if they'd left out the incest scene. Most historians agree that the accusation of incest against Anne Boleyn was false, it was nothing more than a convenient way for Henry VIII to get rid of her.

Rameshwar IN Reviewed June 2010Though it features fantastic production values and decent acting, it falls quite short of an epic classic it could have been. It is based on real events during the initial phase of Henry VIII's infamous six wives saga. This is a story of ambition, power, ego, jealousy and lust and the makers should have gone all out with an R rated content to induce the grit, drama and madness of the period; Instead it wimps out as an uninvolving paperback thriller. Main problem here is that it does not linger on any important moment as it jumps all over the place in a hurry that leaves us no character to care for. Having said that, it should be appreciated for it's lavish sets and costumes, beautiful locales and all this richness captured in the best camera available today. Natalie Portman delivered a fantastic performance as the wily ambitious Anne Boleyn, a commoner who changed the face of England by making the already married King Henry part with the Roman Church to make way for her. Eric Bana looked apt as King Henry VIII and was especially good with his cold stares and authoritative one line repertoires. Finally it is still an entertaining movie but if you know a bit about the history of this story you cannot ignore the potential that was not utilized.

Python Hyena The Other Boleyn Girl (2008): Dir: Justin Chadwick / Cast: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Jim Sturges, Eric Bana, Kristin Scott Thomas: Historic film about lust and curiosity regarding Henry VIII's adulterous affair with two women who happen to be sisters. Mary Boleyn ends up pregnant but the King lusts for her sister Anne. Anne's jealousy and hunger for power predictably lead to dark consequences. It seems as if Anne is pregnant three times within fifteen minutes. Director Justin Chadwick is backed with terrific art direction. Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson are fetching and it is truly a pleasure to witness the two perform together. Portman as Anne is driven by greed and power going to great length to ensure her place but met with extreme and fatal consequences. Johansson is more focused despite being played by higher powers. Despite the fact that her children were pleasing, her final decision makes her the strongest character in the film. Jim Sturges plays their brother caught in a dire predicament that bares consequence and perhaps the audiences greatest sympathy. Eric Bana plays Henry VIII driven by lust and greed with two beautiful sisters at his disposal. Kristin Scott Thomas makes an appearance as one of the more adult roles of Elizabeth Boleyn, a countess. Not the easiest film to view but it does convey the consequences of sinful actions. Score: 8 / 10

Bertrand Of course, it is politically correct to nail everything on men in this period of history. It's true some of them had been manipulative, but one cannot reproach Henry for wanting a male heir. One shouldn't forget that these times were dangerous ones, for everybody, men and women alike.No, when I saw the movie, I kept saying to myself : Ann is the perfect slut, using all female weapons, jealous of her sister etc... That such a snake should be beheaded was no Wonder.The question is : is all this historically true, or have the script writers spiced the portray of this lady ? If so, I think Ann deserved what happened to her, considering of course the criteria of this period of history.