Beautiful but not worth the screen it's played on.

Rating: 4/10 (19 January 2009)

First, let me start by saying, I do not hate or rather despise this movie for its historical inaccuracies. Although numerous in their quantity, other shows based on the same time frame and with the same amount, if not more manage to carry the rise and fall of the Boleyn's with far more grace than this movie does.
Natalie Portman's acting is dubious at best and the same can be said for Scarlett. Eric manages the role with far more grandeur and skill than I had expected and yet it felt somewhat lacking. The costumes and sets are gorgeous and yet it all seems very stilted and wooden.
Now, let me get onto the historical inaccuracies. 'The Tudors' (Showtimes production) has near the same amount of inconsistencies but they at least keep true to the more important and vital parts of history. Anne Boleyn did not cry at her execution, it is a shame as I thought this would be the strongest part of the movie, she was dignified and strong until the last blow of the sword. Mary Boleyn was banished from court and was in no accounts present at her sisters executions. Anne wasn't married and there was no rape.
As much as I wanted to love this movie, it was hard to move past the glaring inaccuracies and slightly boring performances.
It is a great shame, Alison