The Boleyn Babes

Rating: Null/10 (26 May 2009)

Anne Boleyn (mother of Elizabeth I) is one of the most fascinating Queens in the royal history of England. If one is expecting a realistic portrayal of her life in 'The Other Boleyn Girl', then they're in for a huge disappointment. The movie is full of inaccuracies and is best watched as a work of fiction.
I haven't read the novel but seeing that it was a vast Hollywood-type production, I was expecting something fictitious. In a way, that worked. The movie's more like a drama of rivalry, jealousy, despair etc of these fictional Boleyn sisters. There are many melodramatic moments too that exude a soap opera feel. The movie is supposed to be set in the 1500s but the language feels very modern. The actors look the same throughout the entire film. There's no indication of passage of time. The men are portrayed in a negative light and most of them are hateful. The settings, sets, costumes and visuals are impressive but the cinematography is very ordinary.
As for the cast, Natalie Portman, does not physically fit the part. Women in those days were far curvier and Portman's skinny body looks out of place. Both she and Scarlett Johanssen lack the mannerisms of women of 1500s. Portman's Anne is manipulative, witchy, desperate, and impatient which is quite the contrary of what the real Anne Boleyn was, but then again this is a flaw in the writing. Otherwise, Portman's performance is okay. Scarlett Johansson looks very pretty. She does look clueless (again) in many scenes but there are a few notable sequences where she shines. Poor Eric Bana looks like he doesn't know what he should do. He lacks the charm and ruthlessness of Henry VIII (it's pretty much the women who are forced to work the charm). David Morrissey's Thomas Howard is evil but one-dimensional. Kristin Scott Thomas and Ana Torrent are the only ones whose wonderful acting linger in mind after the end credits have rolled.
'The Other Boleyn Girl' is best watched as a fictional semi-soap opera. But if you're expecting some historical enlightenment, forget this one and try 'Anne of the Thousand Days' which is also a far more engaging film.