I am an unapologetic fan of the period piece film and generally enjoy them regardless of the opinions offered by the critics. With its release in February and the fact that it was bound to be a depressing film (after all, anyone with a cursory knowledge of history knows just how Anne Boleyn meets her end), I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit worried that my 18 bucks (movie for two) was essentially being thrown away.
It was with a sigh of relief that The Other Boleyn Girl ended and I could safely say that it was well worth the price of admission. That isn’t to say I wasn’t right: this is not a story of happily ever after, per se, but it was an impressive re-imagining of this volatile period of history.
The Other Boleyn Girl is a fictional history based on the novel of the same name by Philippa Gregory. As one would suspect it is a beautiful film to look at. The settings were authentic and rich with detail. The costumes were magnificent and certainly Oscar-nomination worthy. Neither of these would have saved the film if the acting was poor. And there was reason to worry. Despite the fact that I really like both Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson there was no guarantee that they could carry a film like this. And although Eric Bana has done other films, I cannot help but feel a bit apprehensive about him after the disaster that was Hulk. I have read numerous criticisms and praise for the performances of these three actors in this film. I fall clearly in the camp of praise and believe they all did a phenomenal job.
For me, Natalie Portman was the biggest gamble. I have my attachments to the three Star Wars prequels despite their enormous flaws, but even I was wondering if Portman had real acting chops after her turns as Princess Amidala. She does, and it is her strength of performance that really carries this film. Scarlett Johansson plays her sister, Mary, and she too delivers a subtle but powerful performance in the role of the seduced and then discarded Boleyn sister. Within minutes of his arrival on screen Eric Bana inhabits the role of Henry Tudor and made me forget about the big green elephant in the room. The supporting roles in the film were well cast and I was able to enjoy this film for what it was without being distracted by anyone who felt out of place or miscast.
I much prefer upbeat period films and a tragic film has to be really good to hold my attention. The Other Boleyn Girl did that and did it well. Throughout the film I could not help but marvel at this period of history and just how difficult a struggle it must have been to be a woman in those times. And while this was certainly a theme of the film I did not feel like I was witnessing a women’s rights advocate beating me over the head with the message. It was there both in the dialogue and in the subtleties of the performance and yet the message came through loud and clear. As the film progressed I found myself getting increasingly drawn in and felt my stress level rising as the inevitable end approached. That too speaks volumes for the quality of the film. When you know what is coming and still find yourself on the edge of your seat it means the film works.
The Other Boleyn Girl is not the best period film I have ever seen. But is it good, well acted, and has an interesting story to tell about a fascinating time period in the history of England. I left the film wondering about certain aspects of the story and am interested in looking those up to see just where Gregory got her inspiration and/or if those are indeed factual elements of the history of Anne and Mary Boleyn. Despite her tragic end, I enjoyed experiencing this interpretation of the events of that time.
I would give this a 4 out of 5 stars.
This was a really great book. I hope the film does it justice.
I have yet to see the movie but read the book a week or two ago. I really enjoyed the book and will definitely see the movie. If you’re interested in the history behind the story, Alison Weir’s books are an excellent resource.
Thanks Trisha. I certainly cannot speak for the film’s quality vs. the book. Most films don’t live up to the book so hopefully when you both see it you will be able to enjoy it for what it is.
I’m staying away from the movie for now, because I’m reading the book for the mutual challenge Rhinoa and I are doing, and I want to read it first.
But it’s good to know that you enjoy it, and that Natalie and Scarlett (of both of whom I am a fan too) are good in it.
The book was so good. Glad to see that you enjoyed the movie.
I love Natalie Portman… but they seem like funny casting choices! How were their accents?
Hmm, so what is the best period film that you’ve seen? I wonder if, having read the book by Phillipa Gregory, I will have the same thoughts about this movie once I see it in a few weeks…
Stephanie, I’d be hard pressed to pick an absolute favorite. I would certainly put A Room With a View up near the top of the list. It is one of the earliest period films I remember seeing as an ‘adult’ and I love it to this day. I adore the Emma Thompson version of Sense and Sensibility. Same with Helena Bonham Carter version of Twelfth Night. I know some people dislike Gwyneth Paltrow but I really like Emma. I enjoy both the BBC and Keira Knightley versions of Pride and Prejudice. As I said, I tend to really like the more upbeat stuff.
Kicking K: I certainly wasn’t paying attention to the accents so the most I can say is that they weren’t bad enough that I found them distracting.
Good review. I’ve thought about this movie more since seeing it Saturday night and I still get hung up on the like it but not love it feeling. I know it all has to do with the sad ending. I thought Natalie Portman really stole the show in every scene she was in. I’ve seen her in a lot of other films besides the Star Wars films and I thought she could handle this role. Scarlett Johanson surprised me the most. I really didn’t know if I would buy her on this role but she nailed it. I think what sold me was how they each made me buy into feeling they were really sisters. There are no equals in sibling relationships and they played, to me, a very believeable dynamic. As for Eric Bana though I would have to disagree. I thought his performance was too understated for the movie. After the Hulk, then Munich, and now this I just don’t care for his acting and I guess I’ll just chalk that up to personnel preferance for me. I know he’s highly thought of but to me I put him in a catergory of actors I don’t care for like Sean Penn. The costume’s and scenery in this film are amazing and if you love period pieces don’t wait for the small screen on this one.
It is certainly hard to love a film that has a tragic ending. Unlike Atonement, however, I really liked every bit of this one whereas with Atonement I found parts that I really enjoyed but the ending was what really turned the movie from a dislike to a like for me.
Hmmm…I didn’t see Bana as understated. I thought he was both slightly menacing and somewhat wishy-washy (as a king whose head is so easily turned from woman to woman would be). I liked him in this. I certainly wouldn’t consider him an actor though that I would want to see chosen for other movies I want to see. Isn’t he in something coming up that we want to see? Star Trek maybe? I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.
Johansson was indeed great and she took what could have been the lesser and more one-dimensional of the roles and really added weight to it.
I agree, these type of films are always best to see on the big screen the first time. They never have the epic scope on the small screen. However if we just bought giant TVs…..
I think the problem with Bana for me is that I watched the Showtime mini-series The Tudors last year and the actor on that series as Henry the 8th just blew Bana away with his performance. Also the actress who plays Ann is great as well although I thought Portman was great as well in The Other Boleyn Girl. If you get the chance you should netflix The Tudors some day. It was wonderful. It’s only a 10 episode season.
It is certainly hard when you are comparing one actor’s performance to another in the same role. I can certainly see that. And I’m not saying Bana is a top notch actor, I just thought he did a good job in this based mostly on my prejudices against him from the Hulk movie.
Excellent review. You expressed my reactions far better than I could. I especially liked the court intrigue. Go read the Wikipedia articles about Anne and Mary Boleyn if you get a chance. Many people are dumping on this film for historical inaccuracies, but the Wikipedia articles seem to suggest there is a lot of room for speculations.
This is one of those films that makes me want to read the book.
Jim
Thanks Jim. It cracks me up a bit that folks would get all up in arms about the historical accuracy of a novel…A NOVEL…it wasn’t written as an historical, nonfiction book on the history of Anne and Mary, thus one should expect some liberties to be taken.
I don’t always get people. 🙂
great review, I loved the film 🙂
I’m glad Shish, and thanks. I look forward to seeing it again on DVD. I hope there are some good extras on there.
Liberties were taken but yes, it IS a novel and then a movie. Hard not to. For one thing, what really happened back then and what we’d watch nowadays might be two entirely different things. Not to mention we don’t know exactly what happened.
I thought Eric Bana and Natalie Portman were both very good but I was a little surprised at how…dull the movie was, considering the subject matter.
I kind of liked it that way, felt a little more like the pacing of an independent or foreign film as opposed to the pacing of a typical American film. I can certainly see that point though, I was probably distracted by Scarlett too much during the film. 😉