Deceit in monarchy
Lies, deceit, and raw lust are a few words describing the box office’s newest sensation ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’.
This saga chronicling the love life of Henry the VIII and his strife to produce a male heir while also nurturing his sexual needs proved to be a good tale.
The cast of this movie seemed at first to be a clashing group of actors, but worked together to pull a lovable story.
Natalie Portman played Anne Boleyn, the oldest and most elegant daughter of the Boleyn clan. In a ploy to create a perfect life, the Boleyn men use their daughter to entice the King of England. Her vicious yet witty ways both prove to benefit and hurt her throughout her life.
The other Boleyn girl, Mary Boleyn, played by Scarlett Johansson, has a more caring and loving persona than the shrewd, yet coy, Anne. Mary wasn’t ever meant for the King, but when you are a Boleyn, you can never play with cupid’s arrow. Remaining the most wholesome character throughout the movie, Scarlett Johansson continues her reputation as one of the best young actresses in Hollywood.
Eric Bana, who plays the notorious Henry the VIII, shows audiences why he was chosen to play the always back-and-forth king. Not sure what he wants, Henry is determined to produce a male heir no matter what the price. Changing laws and breaking away from the Catholic Church are just a few risks he took in order to please the many women in his life.
Originally a fantastic novel, ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ proved compelling onscreen as well. History proved to be a dramatic subject in this case, as European royals seemed to have lived a soap opera kind of life. Although this saga took place more the 500 years ago, the hijinks and drama certainly weren’t lacking.