A Tale Of Two Sisters

Rating: 9/10 (27 September 2012)

The Other Boleyn Girl is a drama film is a romanticized account of the lives of 16th-century aristocrats Mary Boleyn, one-time mistress of King Henry VIII, and her sister, Queen Anne, who became the monarch's ill- fated second wife, though much history is distorted.It features Natalie Portman,Scarlett Johansson,Eric Bana,Jim Sturgess and Kristin Scott Thomas.Mark Rylance,Ana Torrent,David Morrissey,Eddie Redmayne,Benedict Cumberbatch and Andrew Garfield co-stars.The screenplay by Peter Morgan was adapted from the novel of the same title by Philippa Gregory and it was directed by Justin Chadwick.
This period drama follows the fierce competition between sisters Mary and Anne Boleyn to win the affections of Tudor king Henry VIII. Both are under pressure from their father and uncle to help maintain the family's rich legacy and ensure their further prosperity by winning the affections of none other than the king of England. But life in the royal court is far different than it was in the countryside where these two sisters were raised, and before long their bid to earn the love of the king has transformed two once-happy sisters into bitter rivals. At first, it appears that Mary has triumphed in winning the king's favor by becoming his mistress and bearing him an illegitimate child. Despite her early success, however, Mary has underestimated just how clever and cunning her sibling can truly be. Not only does the relentless Anne manage to edge aside her sister in the eyes of King Henry, but she also succeeds in averting his gaze from his wife, Queen Catherine of Aragon, as well. Mary is driven by genuine affection for King Henry, while her sister Anne has only kept up the charade in a desperate bid to become the queen of England. Now, the growing chasm between two sisters is mirrored on a larger scale as England becomes divided more than ever before. As the consequences of their actions threaten to alter the course of an entire nation, these two sisters will ultimately discover that the only place they will find true strength and loyalty is in family.
A tale of two sisters competing for the same king, the film uses historical facts as window dressing for this work of fiction that is entertaining, if not wholly believable. Though it features some extravagant and entertaining moments, it feels more like a soap opera than historical drama.But nevertheless,it features an attractive cast and a familiar plot with some icky twists. Kieran McGuigan's cinematography is breathtaking and is as crucial to setting the film's tone as the dialogue.Also,the performances are really good.