poorly paced, poor script, poorly executed

Rating: 5/10 (21 March 2008)

I went into 'The Other Boleyn Girl' aware of its poor reviews, but still hoping for something special. Unfortunately the film failed on most accounts. Firstly the actual story itself, is simply put, poor. Many audience members will undoubtedly believe this to be the true story of the Boleyn girls, yet the film (as well as the novel upon which the film is based) is rife with historical inaccuracies and often complete fabrications. The real Anne Boleyn-unlike the scheming, manipulative character we see in the film- was in fact a pious Christian, devoted to her faith and known for giving charitably. Mary did indeed have a brief affair with Henry VIII, but she also had an affair with the King of France-far from the sexually inexperienced girl that is presented in the film. Nevermind the fact that Mary Boleyn was in fact the older sister of Anne, not the younger sister. The pacing of the film is poor-at points where more detail should be devoted, we are rushed through, whereas at other points the film drags. The audience learn little of wider political and societal movements at the time, and Jane Seymour is only mentioned in passing-now perhaps this focus on the Boleyn Sisters is intentional, the directors attempt to show womens limited power in this time only succeeds in suggesting that their only source of power was through their sexual attractiveness (perhaps arguably, having some historical grounding). As for Henry VIII, the audience is given the impression that hi major preoccupation is bedding young attractive women-we gain no impression of his ruler-ship or leadership abilities. The acting is solid, and Portman and Johansson do well with their English accents, however you know a film has failed when you spend most of its duration admiring the costumes (which are beautiful) rather than paying attention to the film. Ultimately the film could not sustain my attention, and I left the cinema feeling rather disappointed and cheated.