By Lisa DiCarlucci

Based on the best selling novel by Philippa Gregory, “The Other Boleyn Girl” tells the romantic and scandalous tale of King Henry VIII of England and his relationship with the Boleyn women. Two sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) Boleyn, are forced by their overly ambitious father and uncle to become mistresses to the King (Eric Bana) in order for their family to advance in the line of power. Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls begin the thrilling life in the court of the King. However, the ambitions of their father quickly become all too personal for the girls, who develop a fierce rivalry for the King’s affection.

Initially, Mary catches the eye of the King and he chooses her to become his mistress. She bears his son, but he is a bastard child. Anne, in contrast to her sister, is ruthless and conniving in her pursuit of the King, and causes great turmoil as she seduces him from under her sister’s and the Queen’s nose. Despite Mary’s true love for Henry, Anne’s ambition for royal power win out as her father’s and uncle’s motivations quickly become her own. Their struggle eventually tears England apart, but in the end, the Boleyn girls remain loyal to one another, and their sisterly love surpasses all others.

This film, though intriguing and seductive, is lacking in several areas. A defining moment in British history is reduced to the plot of a soap opera. The scandal, lust and betrayal is seducing for the audience; however, it is easy to forget who these characters even are. King Henry VIII (Bana) at many times loses his air of royalty and power when he is seduced by young women and is begging for their affection. The fact that the controversy, which this film is based on, tore a country apart is completely lost as the plot rarely strays outside the castle. If one doesn’t remember their European history class from high school, then it is only a story of adultery, lies and incest. One of the most notable and controversial moments in the history of the British monarchy is reduced to a melodramatic romance.

However petty the plot may be though, the A-list cast delivers it with great passion and seriousness. Both Portman and Johansson give powerful performances of the very opposite sisters. Portman rises to the challenge of the ever-conniving and power-hungry Anne Boleyn. Her character truly evolves from start to finish as she goes from being the elder, unmarried sister who seemed to know her place, to the lustful and ambitious suitor of the King and finally to the desperate and emotional Queen.

Johansson, on the other hand, plays the demure and fair Mary whose love for the King is pure and with no strings attached. Viewers can’t help but root for her during most of the film as it is clear she has been placed at the mercy of the King’s court and both her family and the King dispose of her as they please. She effortlessly maintains a level of meekness and strength simultaneously.

Overall, the plot is intriguing and well acted on most accounts; however, for such an important moment in history to be reduced to the plot of a soap opera is quite disheartening.

(allmoviephoto.com)