Brilliantly performances in a riveting story whether fiction or otherwise

Rating: 9/10 (18 March 2008)

It seems like as of late if you decide to make a historical film or period piece you better have time traveled back and triple checked your facts. It seems to me that so many reviewers and movie goers are forgetting the key element to the movies...to have fun...to be entertained. Sure some films can do other things for us but this is still the key to Hollywood. I know little to nothing about the true history of Anne Boleyn, although after seeing the film it did encourage me to read into it which makes the film worthwhile in the first place. The story that they create is captivating and truly riveting. I found myself just enthralled by the story and the characters. It's not fast moving or full of action and yet I just couldn't stop watching and I wanted to know where everything was going. Director Justin Chadwick seems to be relatively new to the big screen direction process and yet he knew exactly how to deliver the story and what was or was not important. Granted he had the incredible opportunity of 2 HUGE Hollywood starlets but even still he had a story to tell and get the most out of it and he succeeds in a big way. You aren't overwhelmed by the time of the film, completely drowned with beautiful flourishing dresses and castles a la Marie Antoinette (see my review but not the movie) but rather gives you a little of that and a lot of story and character.
There are some truly fantastic performances in this film. Natalie Portman gives an Oscar worth performance as the twisted and disturbed Anne Boleyn. Her character goes through something of a transformation and yet you see her twisted personality shine through a little right from the beginning. Her character and her performance is the best I've seen this year!! Scarlett Johansson proves she is more than her looks with her very impressive performance as the more tender hearted and eventually scorned sister Mary Boleyn. Her performance is not on par with Portman's but she does very well nonetheless. The two of them have great chemistry together and do an amazing job carrying the film. Eric Bana...how can the guy who brought The Hulk be rewarded by being in a film with Portman and Johansson? And they are both his love interests? I am kidding of course. Bana is actually very good as the torn and decent but love struck King Henry. He's also rugged and sexy for the women and probably nothing like the real King Henry but has electric chemistry with Johansson and his obvious infatuation with Portman's Anne Boleyn is perfect. Jim Sturgess makes a small appearance as Portman and Johansson's brother, Kristin Scott Thomas and Mark Rylance are excellent as the Boleyn parents, and David Morrissey is brilliant as the evil Duke of Norfolk who wants nothing more than to further his family name.
I am a history fan and a student of history and I don't give a lick how much this film is historically accurate. Some of it is likely lifted from history and some of it is added for dramatic element and to ENTERTAIN!! I have no doubt, as I mentioned, that King Henry Tudor was rugged and built like a Greek god nor that the Boleyn girls looked hot and sexy like the cover of a magazine or that The Duke of Norfolk had evil villain music playing behind him at all times. The movie was meant to entertain and it does that with a twisted tale of romance and deception to the highest ranks that nearly brings down an empire. If anything it will inspire you to read more of the true story which is even better. For a period time piece such as this you will want to check it out because the performances alone are stunning, especially Portman and the story will keep you riveted right to your seat. It's not often you get truly great stories like this early in the year so definitely check it out because I loved it!! 9/10