Seen as sacrificial lambs since their entrance into the world, Anne and Mary Boleyn are driven by their uncle and father to leave their simple life in the country to court the affections and love of the king of England. Desperate to have a son, the king of England is willing to go to any measures to have a male heir, and by the looks of it, the Boleyn family will finally be able to make their mark on history with their daughters. But everything isn't as peachy as predicted. Mary's pregnancy is out of wedlock, resulting in a bastard child, and to Anne this is nothing but an open door to stake her claim for the crown as what started out as a family pursuit quickly turns into a heated family rivalry, one that could curse the Boleyn name and bring an end to the lives of both ladies.
Thriving on the talents of Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana and some amazing cinematography, Philippe Gregory's best-selling novel The Other Boleyn Girl is brought to life in fine fashion.
I first have to comment on the film's cast. First there is Natalie Portman, who turns in what might be her most astonishing performance since her role in Closer, as the strong, stern Anne Boleyn. Taking a simple, unexciting role such as Anne, Portman is able to bring life, confidence and most importantly drama as she creates a stellar central character for the film. In addition we have the innocent, reliable Scarlett Johansson, who always brings elegance and grace to any role, and the often overlooked Eric Bana as the egotistical, heir-hungry king of England. Together the three stars create a strong force that allows the film to live up to its full potential.
In addition I want to commend Philippe Gregory for his amazing story. Intertwining facts and fiction, Gregory creates a story that is full of rivalry, betrayal and drama, and as it serves as one of a few that is able to make the vital leap from page to big screen. But I can't give all the credit to Gregory, in fact I have to give much credit to Peter Morgan who took the brilliant story and turned it into a fierce film that carries the intensity of the book to the screen.
In short The Other Boleyn Girl thrives on its cast and visuals as it lives up to its potential bringing a fun, drama-filled story to the big screen.
