Henry VIII is arguably the most colourful monarch in English history, renowned not only for his dramatic political decisions but also for his tumultuous private life. His reign, marked by significant religious and social upheaval, has inspired countless dramatizations on both the big and small screens. Among these interpretations, The Other Boleyn Girl, a 2008 romantic drama directed by Justin Chadwick, stands out as one of the lesser works.
The film is based on Philippa Gregory's 2001 novel, which had previously been adapted into a BBC television film in 2003, starring Natascha McElhone. The narrative is set in early 16th-century England, where Mary Boleyn, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, emerges as the protagonist. She is the daughter of Thomas Boleyn (played by Mark Rylance), provincial noble who views his daughters as tools for advancing his own status. The opportunity arises when King Henry VIII (played by Eric Bana) grows weary of his wife, Katherine of Aragon (played by Anna Torent), due to her failure to produce a male heir. Thomas hopes that Anne (played by Natalie Portman) will seduce the king and bear him a son, paving the way for a divorce from Katherine and Anne's ascension to queenship. However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when Henry becomes enamoured with Mary instead of the ambitious Anne during a visit to their estate. As Mary becomes pregnant and can no longer fulfil her role as Henry's mistress, Anne returns from France with determination to win back the king's affections. Her refusal to sleep with him until he formally divorces Katherine sets off a chain of events that not only leads to England's separation from the Catholic Church but also seals Anne's tragic fate as she eventually loses Henry's favour.
At first glance, The Other Boleyn Girl appears indistinguishable from numerous British television dramas that delve into similar historical narratives. Peter Morgan, a renowned playwright and screenwriter known for his expertise in historical dramas, had previously tackled the story of Henry VIII in a 2003 miniseries starring Ray Winstone.
However, despite being Justin Chadwick's feature directorial debut, The Other Boleyn Girl was intended to be more grandiose than typical television fare. Unfortunately, much of its high budget seems to have been allocated towards casting two of Hollywood's hottest stars at the time—Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman—as rival siblings. While they both manage credible British accents and blend into a cast that includes respected British actors like Benedict Cumberbatch as Mary’s first husband William Carey, Eric Bana’s portrayal of King Henry feels miscast. Bana lacks the intensity and regal qualities essential to embodying such an iconic figure.
The film’s most significant flaw lies in its attempt to offer a revisionist perspective on Henry VIII through the lens of the Boleyn sisters. Here, Anne is depicted as the primary villain—manipulative, ruthless, and ultimately desperate as her schemes unravel. Portman’s performance veers into melodrama; she portrays Anne with such unlikeability that viewers may question how she ever managed to seduce Henry in the first place. In contrast, Johansson’s Mary comes across as bland and near-saintly, lacking the complexity that could have made her character more engaging.
As the plot unfolds towards its conclusion, it does so in a rushed manner that leaves viewers feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. The pacing fails to allow for meaningful character development or emotional payoff, undermining any tension built throughout the narrative.
Moreover, both Gregory’s novel and its cinematic adaptation have drawn ire from historians for their series of inaccuracies and creative interpretations of historical facts. However, this tendency towards artistic licence is not inherently problematic; other popular series like The Tudors, which aired around the same time, managed to navigate historical liberties while still delivering engaging storytelling.
Ultimately, it is Chadwick’s lack of experience as a director combined with an overly melodramatic script and questionable casting choices that render The Other Boleyn Girl a disappointing viewing experience. When placed alongside other films and television dramas that have explored similar themes and characters more effectively—such as Morgan’s earlier works—the shortcomings become even more pronounced.
RATING: 3/10 (+)
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog https://inleo.io/@drax.leo
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9
