Catty, Soapy & Sexist

Rating: 4/10 (8 September 2008)

If there is one thing I can't stand, it's catty women. Anyone who's hung around an office filled with women long enough knows what I mean. I am also not a fan of sexism, which is usually directed toward women. In this movie, though, it's against men where every male is pictured as a low-life. Just about everyone here has poor intentions and few morals, except perhaps the Boleyn girls mother "Lady Elizabeth Boleyn" (Kristen Scott-Thomas), but she's no angel, either.
Meanwhile, the Boleyn sisters - "Anne" (Natalie Portman) and "Mary" (Scarlet Johansson) - and others provide much of the cattiness. The whole idea is for some people to gain favors and be in good stead with King Henry VIII and the best way, of course, is to have sex with him.
Frankly, I don't find Natalie Portman the least bit sexy and Scarlett Johansson, the other suitor for the king, is overrated beauty-wise, too. The third part of the sexual triangle is the king, "Henry Tudor," played by Eric Bana. Whether he's attractive or not, I'll leave up to the female audience.
All I know is that the film is a "chick flick" and it's a pretty film to look at, with good production values. I appreciated the visuals but the story is mainly for soap opera fans, those who like to watch other shed tears, in addition to their own.
From what the British reviewers say here, it's not too accurate, either. Knowing the world of films, that's not surprising.