| Product: |
The Other Boleyn Girl (DVD) |
| Date: |
31/03/08 (229 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Star studded cast & Good plot story.
Disadvantages: Lack of emotion & Poor performances.
After absolutely loving every single page of book entitled The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory I couldn't wait to see the film. I managed to persuade my friend who isn't greatly into historical films, to come and see it with me the weekend just gone... I was on the verge of going to see it alone if she'd have refused!
The Plot
The story is based during the reign of Henry VIII which lasted from 1509 to 1547, in line with the novel we are led to believe that the film begins in the early 1520s. The plot centres around Mary Boleyn and her elder sister Anne Boleyn, both members of the Howard family who at the time were scrounging for a place in the King's favour.
The King is married to his late brother's wife, Queen Catherine and we quickly learn that she is unable to produce a male heir. As such the King is easily tempted into the arm's of a mistress and the Boleyn family are quick to push their unmarried daughter Anne into his arms. However he takes a shine to their younger daughter Mary, who is already married.
The Boleyn family move to court and we see King Henry VIII begin a relationship with Mary who gives him a son. However while she is locked away for the month preceding childbirth Anne quickly moves into her sister's place and tempts the King away. Power hungry Anne is willing to stop at nothing to become Queen and what follows is her desperate attempt to secure this position, often at the cost of others and even herself.
The Cast
Anne Boleyn - Natalie Portman
Mary Boleyn - Scarlett Johansson
Henry Tudor - Eric Bana
George Boleyn - Jim Sturgess
Katherine of Aragon - Ana Torrent
Sir Thomas Boleyn - Mark Rylance
Lady Elizabeth Boleyn - Kristin Scott Thomas
The Duke of Norfolk - David Morrissey
Book V Film
I absolutely adored the book and found that I was addicted to it, I even took to reading it in my lunch hour at work in an attempt to get nearer to the end. It was written in a compelling way and maintained a quick pace throughout, detailing only necessary events yet making the reader feel completely involved at all times.
In contrast I wasn't quite as addicted to the film and although I did enjoy it I feel that there were many omissions from the book that would have added to the quality of the film. Of course it's not always possible to compare a book to a film, while a book can last for pages and pages a film generally has to end within 2 hours. Therefore it wasn't possible to include everything but certain matters, especially that of George's homosexual nature wasn't touched on once, nor was the budding romance between Mary and Stafford.
In conclusion I would have to argue that the novel was far stronger than the film, as is the case with many novels that are converted to films. If you've already read the book I do feel you will be slightly disappointed by the quality and strength of the film. However if you've seen the film and not read the book I can only urge you to do so.
My Opinion
I was so excited about going to see this film that my initial reaction to it upon leaving the cinema was one of disappointment if I'm honest. I'd enjoyed the book so much and had such high expectations that I don't think the film stood any chance of living up to them. The story was good and the cast were good but I just couldn't help feeling a little short changed somehow.
The film is arguably portrayed as an historical drama / romance but of course it's far from your typical romance. There's no fighting or war involved which would have made for a nice refreshment from the constant love theme that seems to be promoted throughout the film, especially given the time era in which the film was set. It all seems to focus on Catherine loosing a baby, Mary having a baby and then Anne loosing a baby - in hindsight it's rather more based on pregnancy and childbirth than anything else which of course makes the watcher aware of the importance of having a male heir to succeed to the throne in those days.
The cast is highly star studded with three of the largest screen names taking the three main parts. I personally feel that the most outstanding performance was given by Natalie Portman who was brilliant as the devious, power driven and seductive sister. Her mannerisms and way of speech were always bordering on flirtation while she managed to own the screen whenever she appeared in it. In contrast I was really disappointed with Scarlett Johansson who just didn't really seem to be there most of the time. She was given the part of the more naïve and certainly nicer sister yet she just seemed bland throughout and void of emotion in many of her scenes. It is certain that all three actors are better looking that portraits suggest of their actual characters!
What I do feel was lacking from the film was some of the emotional characteristics displayed in the novel; although Anne Boleyn was power driven in the film she was not to the same extent as in the book where she appeared thoroughly evil and willing to sacrifice her family's happiness and safety for her own gain. Although she flirted shamelessly with the King while her sister was carrying his child she lacked that ferocity and vivacity displayed in the novel. As already mentioned Johansson was the better choice for good natured and naive Mary, although in the book she did manage to defy her family in the end and fight for what she wanted, these qualities were all but non-existant in the film's portrayal of her.
Overall it does seem to have received quite negative reviews in the press of which some may be a little unjust. The fact that all the leading historical British figures went to American actors seems to have been a little sore point among the critics. However I do have to agree with some of them, the film didn't live up to my expectations and although I enjoyed it I came out feeling a little hollow, as though something had been missing somewhere along the lines.
Other Information
The film was actually made in late 2006 but only released in the USA in February 2008 and in the UK in March 2008. It has a 115 minutes duration and a 12A rating.
So in conclusion I'd recommend seeing this film if you're a fan of others such as Elizabeth, but you might be better waiting for the DVD release... or even for the TV screening...
Thanks for reading.
Summary: The 2008 released film version of the book The Other Boleyn Girl.
|
|
