Let me start by saying, Henry VIII was the man; he managed to have eight wives and countless mistresses. All of you male readers could only dream of manifesting that type of sex appeal. Only a king could, and he did, only inevitably to the detriment of the many lives involved.
“The Other Boleyn Girl,” is a novel-based movie. Philippa Gregory is the mastermind behind the pen. She has written a whole series of books based on the era and lineage of the Tudors.
I, myself haven’t actually read “The Other Boleyn Girl,” but my sister did in a span of two days. I read another of Gregory’s books, “The Virgin’s Lover,” based on Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Both good reads, I highly recommend you divulge.
From what I know of the story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, the movie followed well. Eric Bana played a convincing role as King Henry VIII, which would be difficult considering Henry was charming and soft at some point and yet wholly indifferent and cruel at others. Bana beautifully combated the emotions of his character and successfully portrayed one of the most powerful, infamous men in history.
Natalie Portman played Anne Boleyn and Scarlet Johansson played her sister Mary Boleyn. Anne is a known historical figure for her discrepancies and debaucheries in the court of England, but her sister, Mary, is often forgotten. So the story is told, the movie is shot to bring her out of the shadows of centuries past and into the hearts of those in the present.
Portman and Johansson do an amazing job of being rivals, and sisters. They are each other’s counterparts, the pieces of each other’s puzzle.
Johansson even says in the movie, “She is my sister. And, therefore, one half of me.”
I can’t really say who did a better job; because they are both amazing actresses and neither one outshone the other in this historical flick.
They did so well; it seems to the audience, that they are nothing more than sisters who have a lot in common.
Both mistresses of the king, both married to other men, both vying for their family’s favor in court, both in love with a single man whose capabilities are boundless because of a mere title.
Alike in so many ways, yet one lives and one dies.
This movie has everything: love, sex, scandal, debauchery, adultery, death and even incest.
There isn’t a dull moment. Not just a chick flick, it’s an everybody flick. So, if you have the money, go see it, and if you don’t, check out www.watch-movies.net.
Either way I think it’s well worth your time.

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