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The Other Boleyn Girl - Review

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AnnaK<3LMIP
#1The Other Boleyn Girl - Review
Posted: 3/1/08 at 9:55pm

Ok. So. I really thought I wasn't going to enjoy his movie too much. I was unsure about Scarlett and Natalie..and Eric. Plus, I used to be a huge fan of Gregory and now can't handle her books at all.

But the movie? COMPLETELY different than the book. In fact, except for the title, you would never know they were officially linked at all. The script is not bad at all, and although I doubt it's completely historically accurate, there were some great scenes.
By the way...it may just have been a long time since I read any book regarding the Boleyns, but wasn't Anne younger than Mary?


Natalie Portman was excellent. At first, there was just something that I didn't like until I realized that she was doing her job exactly correct. The way the movie is set up, obviously, you are meant to detest Anne for her treatment of Mary. It wasn't until Natalie slipped into the scared Anne that I really saw how great she was in defining such a powerful character.
Scarlett, I thought, had one of the best fake English accents. Mary is defined in the beginning as "simple and kind hearted", and that is precisely how Scarlett depicted her, only with more essence. I won't spoil it, but the Hollywood-dramatic ending after Anne's beheading was actually pretty affecting, I thought.
Eric Bana was not a bad Henry at all. In fact, he portrayed more of the King qualities than Jonathan Rhys-Meyers does. He was a good blend of naive, egoistic, and domineering. Very well done.
The setting and the costumes are, as can be predicted, really beautiful. I love period pieces so much - especially Tudor era.
Oh. I need to go look up his name. But the actor who played George Boleyn was really effective in a role that actually didn't have much to do. I've always felt sorry for the family as a whole, especially George(except for the George in THE TUDORS), and this George was excellent with what little variety he had to do.

So all in all, although you may hate or love the book, I suggest seeing this film. It has some promising scenes and good performances. And honestly, I know all of this sex is undeniable in telling this story, but I truly found that all of the sexuality in the novel was just unnecessary. The movie was tastefully done, and the sex didn't actually take away from the actual nature of the story and it's roots. I suppose you could argue that England changed forever because, as one director of mine said, "he thought with his happy area and not his head"...but I like to think that it's more than just that.
So if you have the chance, I do recommend it. The Other Boleyn Girl - Review


I mean, Denzel Washington? Gun to my head..of course.


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