The Other Boleyn Girl
Director: Justin Chadwick
Cast: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Kirsten Scott Thomas, Jim Sturgess, David Morrissey
Driven by love and their family’s ambition to win favor with the King of England, “The Other Boleyn Girl” follows the journey of two sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, as they embark on a dangerous journey to win the heart of King Henry VIII.
The manner in which the Boleyn sisters express their love for King Henry is conveyed in very different ways.
For Anne, the elder sister, King Henry is merely a means to an end; an insignificant pawn that she can manipulate in order to achieve her true ambition: becoming Queen of England. She wields her control over Henry like a sword, using his desire for her to claim the power that is not rightfully hers. The sad irony of Anne’s journey is that although she sacrifices everything to become Queen and provide Henry with a son, once she has achieved her purpose and taken the crown for her own, she does not find happiness, but rather her own demise. Even more tragic is the knowledge that it was not the male heir that Henry so desperately longed for, but Anne’s daughter, Elizabeth, who would succeed Henry as one of England’s most beloved monarchs.
While initially Mary appears to be the more fragile of the two sisters, in truth, her courage and sincere devotion to both Henry and Anne allows her to become the stronger of the two sisters. The bond she shares with Henry is able to endure because unlike Anne, Mary’s love for Henry is untainted by deceit. Because of this, Mary is able to win not only the King’s heart, but his trust as well. Although Mary is cast out by her jealous sister after she provides Henry with the male heir he so desperately yearns for, Mary returns from her lonely exile to support her sister after Anne becomes Henry’s queen. When Anne falls prey to the consequences of her own selfish ambitions, Mary risks her own life by going before the King and pleading for mercy on her sister’s behalf. In the end, although she failed to save her sister, Mary takes Anne’s daughter Elizabeth, as her own child.
“The Other Boleyn Girl” is a tragic story of love and blind ambition. While the casting for this film is exceptional, I was particularly impressed with Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman who breathe life into the Boleyn sisters and allow their unique identities to shine through in their characters. The story, while having a soft undertone of romance, is also a cautionary tale that illustrates how the abuse of power can ultimately lead to tragic consequences. If you enjoy a good period drama, then “The Other Boleyn Girl” is one you will definitely fall in love with.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Justin Chadwick
Cast: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Kirsten Scott Thomas, Jim Sturgess, David Morrissey
Driven by love and their family’s ambition to win favor with the King of England, “The Other Boleyn Girl” follows the journey of two sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, as they embark on a dangerous journey to win the heart of King Henry VIII.
The manner in which the Boleyn sisters express their love for King Henry is conveyed in very different ways.
For Anne, the elder sister, King Henry is merely a means to an end; an insignificant pawn that she can manipulate in order to achieve her true ambition: becoming Queen of England. She wields her control over Henry like a sword, using his desire for her to claim the power that is not rightfully hers. The sad irony of Anne’s journey is that although she sacrifices everything to become Queen and provide Henry with a son, once she has achieved her purpose and taken the crown for her own, she does not find happiness, but rather her own demise. Even more tragic is the knowledge that it was not the male heir that Henry so desperately longed for, but Anne’s daughter, Elizabeth, who would succeed Henry as one of England’s most beloved monarchs.
While initially Mary appears to be the more fragile of the two sisters, in truth, her courage and sincere devotion to both Henry and Anne allows her to become the stronger of the two sisters. The bond she shares with Henry is able to endure because unlike Anne, Mary’s love for Henry is untainted by deceit. Because of this, Mary is able to win not only the King’s heart, but his trust as well. Although Mary is cast out by her jealous sister after she provides Henry with the male heir he so desperately yearns for, Mary returns from her lonely exile to support her sister after Anne becomes Henry’s queen. When Anne falls prey to the consequences of her own selfish ambitions, Mary risks her own life by going before the King and pleading for mercy on her sister’s behalf. In the end, although she failed to save her sister, Mary takes Anne’s daughter Elizabeth, as her own child.
“The Other Boleyn Girl” is a tragic story of love and blind ambition. While the casting for this film is exceptional, I was particularly impressed with Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman who breathe life into the Boleyn sisters and allow their unique identities to shine through in their characters. The story, while having a soft undertone of romance, is also a cautionary tale that illustrates how the abuse of power can ultimately lead to tragic consequences. If you enjoy a good period drama, then “The Other Boleyn Girl” is one you will definitely fall in love with.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.