Film: The Other Boleyn Girl - ON DVD
Main Actors: Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Eric Bana
Director: Justin Chadwick
Studio: Sony Pictures
Release Date: February 29, 2008 DVD
Rating: PG-13
Length: 1 hour 55 mins

Reviewed By: Xanthe Couture (Edmonton Correspondent - Canada)

The dramatic life of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana), his marriage to Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) and the dysfunctional love triangle involving Anne's sister, Mary (Scarlett Johansson) make for the cinematic equivalent of watching a train wreck before, during and after it happens.

The opening scene sets the tone of the oppressive marital arrangements that occurred in this era, where marriages were arranged and those involved had little control over the mate chosen for them.  

Portman is the Boleyn family daughter who was originally supposed to woo Bana and in doing so, seal the financial security and status of the entire family. A hunt on horseback gone awry means Portman fails to draw Bana's affections and humiliates him instead.

The other Boleyn girl, Mary (Scarlett Johansson), initially against her own will, steps in and they have a passionate affair. Johansson falls pregnant, and is forced to "lay in", the nice way of saying "sit in bed in the dark for several months". This situation puts a damper on their hot and heavy relationship and causes the King's affections to wane.

A series of manipulations by Anne, make her Henry's next choice for a mistress and the rest of the film depicts how getting what you want, is not always a good thing -- especially if it involves breaking with the Catholic Church to annul your marriage to your current wife to marry your mistress. 

A historical period film can be an iffy movie to make, since the details of how people lived, or explaining the context and details of the story can be a distraction from successful and absorbing character development. However, the intense and ever evolving rivalry between Portman and Johansson is fascinating to watch, even if you know that Anne Boleyn will lose her head in the end. 

Bana is the only one who lacks in the character department, but then again how many films have made King Henry's maddening antics the material for main character status? This film brings an opportunity for King Henry to be pitied as a weak leader who sides more with his emotions and desires rather than logic.

The film also shows how in most cases, people are victim to their circumstances and what is expected of them. The motivations of greed and power by the father and uncle in the Boleyn family, and also Anne for a time, are reminders that in the end, situations built on lies will eventually come crumbling down in a most spectacular fashion. 

If you enjoy a good period film and want to appreciate the freedom of modern courtship then pick up The Other Boleyn Girl for your next movie night.