A movie about sex and sibling rivalry focusing on Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, and the role her sister Mary played as the King's mistress.
The Other Boleyn Girl has an incredible cast including Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Eric Bana and Kristin Scott Thomas. Set during the reign of Henry VIII and obviously based loosely on historical events, the film is adapted from a novel (of the same title) by Philippa Gregory. The people may have been real, but the story is not so much speculation as it is a romanticized imagining. It revolves around Anne Boleyn's sister, of whom far less is known than the (in)famous Queen herself.
The Beginning of Trouble
The story focuses on both Boleyn sisters, Anne (Portman) and Mary (Johnasson), starting from their youth when their father and uncle discuss their futures. Mary is the "fairer" of the two, but her father plans to have her married off, as he feels Anne can do much better for herself with her more manipulative means. The girls grow up and Mary does indeed wed. An opportunity arises for Anne when rumors emerge that Queen Catherine cannot provide a male heir and the King (Bana) may be looking for solace in a mistress. Though initially hesitant, Anne's father and uncle assure her it will be good for the family. The plan for Anne to entice him backfires horribly and the King instead ends up adoring Mary. Mary could not be less happy, and Anne cannot be convinced Mary was not at fault. She begins to plot not only revenge, but desires to hurt her sister emotionally.
Not Historically Sound
Historically, it is not known if the sisters were terribly close, though the film has them inseparable in the beginning. In this version, Mary gives birth to Henry's son, and while she was indeed his mistress in real life, it is doubted that he fathered her (two) children--not only has their paternity never been proven, but Henry had other illegitimate children he acknowledged. Regardless, the point here is clearly to set up conflict and have good drama. Sibling rivalry and the lust for power are two surefire ingredients for an explosive story; though most people know Anne's outcome historically, there is much in between left to speculation.
A Fresh Addition, but Ultimately Flawed
With so many film/TV adaptations of Anne Boleyn and the six wives of Henry VIII, it can be hard to find a different take on the matter. While not unusual in its portrayal of Anne, this story is fresh in focusing on Mary (however historically inaccurate). It is a decent, entertaining two hours, and the actors' performances are largely the key attraction. In its desperation to create conflict, however, the characters themselves have suffered greatly in creation.
The film's biggest weakness is in painting its characters with the broadest of strokes. It makes for two-dimensional, shallow personalities. Anne is always scheming, and in her greed for power, readily strikes out against her dear sister with voracious maliciousness. As for Mary, she can do no wrong, being both the more beautiful and a positive saint. It's too much, and despite some really solid performances, the characters end up being quite flat.
Fun & Forgettable
The film boldly embraces its romantic theories. With the exception of the creation of the Church of England and the inevitable beheading, little seems historically accurate. To its credit, the film hardly pretends to be anything aside from embellishment and entertainment. It heartily plays up the conflicts: Two sisters vying for one man's love! See the unquenchable thirst for power! Yet in its love of basic conflicts, so too, have the characters become basic. It is an enjoyable enough two hours, but it is also largely forgettable.
