The problem with a good number of historical dramas is that you already know what happens in the end. So it is with “The Other Boleyn Girl:” Anne marries Henry and then is beheaded. What is more interesting, however, is that Anne had a sister, Mary, who was King Henry’s mistress before her sister married him. Interesting, too, is the portrayal of Anne and Mary’s father and uncle as willing pimps to keep the good will of an inconstant monarch. And because Anne’s story is intertwined with Mary’s, some of the pleasure of watching new material is diluted. Perhaps that’s why this tale of two sisters comes across as high melodrama.
Scarlett Johanssonn is effective as the kind, good-hearted Mary who obeys her father and becomes the king’s mistress. You are supposed to sympathize with Anne (Natalie Portman), but her flaw of excessive ambition and shrewish behavior makes it difficult to feel sorry for her when she has to face the consequences her scheming. Eric Bana is much too handsome (and thin) to play Henry VIII if historical pictures are accurate. And the script calls for him to be too easily manipulated. The production values for this movie, cinematography, costumes, set design, acting, are all top notch. Too bad the same can’t be said for the plot. (3/16/08)
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