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The Other Boleyn Girl | 
 enlarge | Director: Justin Chadwick
Actors: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Jim Sturgess, Mark Rylance
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Category: Movie
This item is no longer available
Rating:  167 reviews
Sales Rank: 1851
Genre: Drama - Historical
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: Video On Demand
Running Time: 116 Minutes
ASIN: B001D7TW8U
Theatrical Release Date: February 29, 2008
Release Date: November 10, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 162 more reviews...
 4 Stars for the film, 5 for the DVD June 12, 2008
Jem (MD, USA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
After seeing this in the theatre, I was ready to give it 5 stars. I love period movies, especially about the Tudors, and I really enjoyed this one. However, after watching the deleted scenes on the DVD, I realized this movie should have been much better!
When I ordered the DVD, I had already resigned myself to little or no features. Elizabeth, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age were sorely lacking. Most period movies have few extras, despite having such a treasure trove of history to mine. However, I was surprised and delighted with the excellent selection of special features on this DVD! First, there are several deleted scenes, many of which should have been included in the film. For the most part, they centered around Mary and gave more insight into her life with her husband after Anne supplants her, plus some calculating scenes with Anne. One scene with Mary's husband upon seeing her "bastard" child of Henry was quite poignant. All of these would have enriched the movie to be more than just two women in rivalry for a king. It could have been 5 stars and would no doubt have pleased more people who saw the film. Also included in the extras was a feature called "To Be Lady" about court etiquette and the precarious life of a woman, even noble, in those times. It featured interviews with the author, some college history professors, and the cast/crew of the film. Women were often exploited in that time to the benefit (or detriment) of their families. And Mary and Anne were no exception. Another excellent feature was about translating history to film. They discussed the book vis a vis the movie, what they used of history, how the expanded on Mary's lesser known character. I have not read the book this film is based on, and didn't feel any urge to do so after seeing the movie. However, these two features and the interview with the author and cast have piqued my interest in the novel. I definitely intend to read it now.
Many DVDs throw in biographies of the characters just to have another extra to list. They are usually nothing more than frozen screen shots a viewer clicks through. But, this DVD included bios of 5 principal characters which included interviews from the author, historians, the cast and crew, coupled with footage from the movie. They were like mini-bios from A&E. Very well done, and I would recommend first time viewers of the movie watch before the film as they really help to keep the characters straight (such as Mary's two husbands, William Carey and William Stafford who look enough alike with the same name that I sometimes confused them). The DVD also includes a commentary, which I didn't listen too because I find them very boring. Overall, a fantastic set of features on a single disc edition.
As to the film, I thought the costumes and sets were phenomenal, the story was very good and the casting spot on. The cinematography is expertly done, and helps set the tone and tell the story as much as the script. Some viewers have complained that Natalie Portman wasn't good as Anne Boleyn. I've read a lot of history books and historical fiction on Anne and I thought she played the part true to the person (if not the book, which I can't comment on). Anne Boleyn wasn't a raving beauty, she was striking. Her major appeal came from denying Henry and being intelligent, ambitious, manipulative - in short, a match for him in many ways. She intrigued him. Portman brought all these qualities to light in her portrayal. Scarlett Johansson actually exceeded my expectations. I have only seen her in a couple movies, and the parts didn't require much effort. However, I thought she embodied the somewhat naive and soft Mary, who is quickly disillusioned about the real world, and even her family. The two women played against each other beautifully. In one of the features, the director mentions how in the book it is often not clear which of them is "the other" Boleyn girl and that he uses this in the film. He does, and it works to great effect.
Eric Bana as Henry is perhaps the weakest casting choice, but he wasn't bad by any stretch. History bears out that Henry was young, handsome, charming and athletic until injured falling from a horse so Bana fit that fine. Bana is best as the temperamental king who is at once attracted and disgusted by Anne's manipulation, and drawn to Mary's docile nature. His interactions with other characters didn't really stand out, but the movie was focused on the women so this was fine. Two other stand outs were Anna Torrent as Queen Katherine of Aragon and David Morrissey as the Duke of Norfolk. Though her role was small, Torrent's Katherine made a big impact. She commanded every scene she was in. She was at once regal, and pitiable, as the victim of her husband's desperation for a male heir. Morrissey played a consummate politician - calculating, controlling and just a bit sleazy. Without him, it would be difficult to sympathize with either Anne or her family. His ruthless game of chess, in which they are pawns was vital to the film. Yes, liberties are taken with historical fact, but some license must be given to film as its own art form just as for a historical fiction. Not much is known about Mary Boleyn, but this film certainly stirs the imagination of what she may have been like.
Overall, I highly recommend this DVD!
Well no the best...but June 10, 2008
Ty the fashion guy
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Well I read the book and it was amazing. But the film was very fast and very...moving from one thing to next and back again, it got very confusing for people who have not read the book. But The whole script and story deserves three stars. But I gave it five because i am a real fna of the tudor period. Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson did a Fnatastic job portaring Anne and Mary Boleyn. But the story was not clear but still it was a great movie
i loved it June 10, 2008
Stefani L. Rohrbaugh (west virginia)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
i watched this movie twice this weekend and will definately purchase the dvd. its history, plot, characters and props were beautifully done by the directors. the details in the filming were wonderful....the costumes of the characters were incredibly beautiful, the castle and noble homes very true to their times.most of all, i enjoyed the believability of the characters and their walk through their lives.the plot has several turns for these boleyn sisters that change the course of englands history.this will be one of my favorite movies of the year.i did not read the book first, so i apologise for my upbeat outlook to the literary world out there.........i stick to my title line,"I LOVED IT!"
Very entertaining period piece June 30, 2008
SandyBeach (Honolulu, Hawaii)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I agree with the five-star review written by "Jem". My wife and I rarely agree completely on movies, but we were both captivated by this movie. The acting was excellent, especially by Portman. The sets, costumes, and cinematography were lush. No shortcuts were taken, and the production quality of this movie is superb. If there was a weak link in the acting, it was Bana. On the other hand, he was playing a banal and shallow person, so perhaps that is why he seemed to fade into the background when paired against the strong personalities of the female characters. This is one of the few movies that my wife and I wanted to see over again immediately after finishing our first viewing. Please read the excellent review by "Jem" to get a better understanding of the entertainment value this movie has in store for you. If you haven't rented it yet, you really should.
Historically and Entertaining! October 14, 2008
A. L. Conner (Mililani, Hawaii United States)
Historically and Entertaining!
A great treat after a long study--Not being one who is especially fond of history...before my study of Henry VIII for a Church History class, I knew very little of the Boleyns. Since I am a visual learner, I looked for a movie to see if I had a grip on the information. The librarian suggested this movie/book ---This was great for me; reference material that I had read - it even cleared up, or at least prompted me to do a bit more research on several areas. A great way to be gain historical knowledge and be entertained at the same time...Enjoy :)!
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