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Movies / On DVD / The Other Boleyn Girl
The Other Boleyn Girl

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The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

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Reviews Counted:136

Fresh:56

Rotten:80

Average Rating:5.3/10

Consensus: Though it features some extravagant and entertaining moments, The Other Boleyn Girl feels more like a soap opera than historical drama.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for mature thematic elements, sexual content and some violent images.

Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:07-03-2008

Synopsis: Based on the best selling novel by Philippa Gregory, The Other Boleyn Girl is an engrossing and sensual tale of intrigue, romance, and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in... Based on the best selling novel by Philippa Gregory, The Other Boleyn Girl is an engrossing and sensual tale of intrigue, romance, and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in history. Two sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious father and uncle to advance the family’s power and status by courting the affections of the King of England (Eric Bana). Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls are thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court life – and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a ruthless rivalry between Anne and Mary for the love of the king. Initially, Mary wins King Henry’s favor and becomes his mistress, bearing him an illegitimate child. But Anne, clever, conniving, and fearless, edges aside both her sister and Henry’s wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon, in her relentless pursuit of the king. Despite Mary’s genuine feelings for Henry, her sister Anne has her sights set on the ultimate prize; Anne will not stop until she is Queen of England. As the Boleyn girls battle for the love of a king – one driven by ambition, the other by true affection – England is torn apart. Despite the dramatic consequences, the Boleyn girls ultimately find strength and loyalty in each other, and they remain forever connected by their bond as sisters.--© Sony Pictures [More]

Starring: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana

Starring: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana

Director: Justin Chadwick

Director: Justin Chadwick
Screenwriter: Peter Morgan
Producer: Alison Owen
Composer: Edward Shearmur
Studio: Columbia Pictures

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Reviews for The Other Boleyn Girl

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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There are moments when you can see how terrific this film could have been

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
03/21/08
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

It is absurd yet enjoyable, and playing fast and loose with English history is a refreshing alternative to slow and tight solemnity; the effect is genial, even mildly subversive.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
03/07/08
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Ultimately we are meant to eat chocolates, admire their trembling lower lips, and choose sides.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
03/07/08
James Christopher
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

With only one member of its love triangle really delivering, this packs less of an emotional punch than it ought. And who'd be a courtier, eh?

Full Review Source: Film4 | comment Comment
03/07/08
Demetrios Matheou
Demetrios Matheou
Film4
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Ravishing frocks and heaving bosoms are the main constituents of The Other Boleyn Girl, an entertaining bodice ripper lightly disguised as historical fiction.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
03/07/08
Paul Arendt
Paul Arendt
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Why in the name of ermine boleros would anyone make such a dull, coy and, worst of all, pretty film about Anne Boleyn?

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
03/07/08
Dave Calhoun
Dave Calhoun
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Worthy of thine attention? Corset is.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
03/07/08
Elliott Noble
Elliott Noble
Sky Movies

A rather titillating take on a racy historical novel, this is perhaps too ambitious in intent. More time, or more pruning (perhaps they should just have focused on The Boleyn girl), would have produced a richer and more enjoyable film.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
03/07/08
Will Lawrence
Will Lawrence
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Apart from the close ups of the lead actresses in 16th century garb, this movie is recommended only to soap opera aficionados and lovers of corsets.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/19/10
Jamie Gillies
Jamie Gillies
Apollo Guide

Dreary

Full Review Source: CinePassion | comment Comment
08/27/09
Fernando F. Croce
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion

A run-of-the-mill costume drama that made me think more about running home and Wikipedia-ing the characters than investing in the story before me.

Full Review Source: ReelzChannel.com | comment Comment
09/08/08
Heather Huntington
Heather Huntington
ReelzChannel.com

A very entertaining and involving story of family and sacrifice.

Full Review Source: Sin Magazine | comment Comment
07/22/08
Austin Kennedy
Austin Kennedy
Sin Magazine

The history may have been narratively scrunched, but it's all the true lives of some powerful and unfortunate people. Very lush.

Full Review Source: Cinerina | comment Comment
07/17/08
Karina Montgomery
Karina Montgomery
Cinerina

Portman confere peso dramático à Ana Bolena, mas Johansson e Bana parecem seguir no piloto automático. Além disso, as liberdades históricas tomadas pelo roteiro são absurdas demais para poderem ser ignoradas.

comment Comment
07/10/08
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

The falling blade is the only element not missing the mark in this film. I wanted to call for the beheading after Act One, and spare the audience instead.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
06/21/08
Matthew Sorrento
Matthew Sorrento
Film Threat

The film gets a full 'This is a work of fiction' disclaimer, even noting that any resemblance to any person living or dead is unintentional. That tells you something about how much trust to put in these historical CliffsNotes.

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
06/09/08
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

An all in the dysfunctional family royal romp with incestuous tendencies, this richly textured, dramatically disciplined, erotically laced and emotionally taut creation makes for weirdly kinky historical analysis, but pretty steamy pre-tabloid melodrama.

Full Review Source: NewsBlaze | comment Comment
06/09/08
Prairie Miller
Prairie Miller
NewsBlaze

If only there was some nobility among these royals.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
05/28/08
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

In an earlier era this would have starred Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins and in its way, The Other Boleyn Girl is just as trashy and enjoyable.

Full Review Source: Windy City Times | comment Comment
05/22/08
Richard Knight
Richard Knight
Windy City Times

If the late Aaron Spelling had lived long enough to produce Showtime's The Tudors, the result might have been something like The Other Boleyn Girl...

Full Review Source: MSNBC | comment 1 Comment
05/01/08
Alonso Duralde
Alonso Duralde
MSNBC
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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Latest News for The Other Boleyn Girl

August 23, 2008: Iconoclast.com: An all in the dysfunctional family royal romp with incestuous tendencies, this richly textured, dramatically disciplined, erotically laced and emotionally taut creation makes for weirdly kinky historical analysis. Opens in new window
More...

June 18, 2008: An all in the dysfunctional family royal romp with incestuous tendencies, this richly textured, dramatically disciplined, erotically laced and emotionally taut creation makes for weirdly kinky historical analysis, but pretty steamy pre-tabloid melodrama. Opens in new window
More...

June 09, 2008: RT on DVD: Bosomy Boleyn Girls, Jumper, John Adams
As the latest wave of Obamamania sweeps the country, look forward to HBO's Recount...or peek into the past with HBO's John Adams. Also clear your calendar for high-def Top... More...

June 05, 2008: Another Boleyn Girl On the Way? Opens in new window
Despite lukewarm reviews and middling box-office receipts, rumor has it that work has begun on a sequel to The Other Boleyn Girl. More...

See All

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