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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:135

Fresh:56

Rotten:79

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)
Bubble View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato
3/5

Rich Cline

There are moments when you can see how terrific this film could have been

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 21 2008 06:41 PM

Shadows on the Wall

tomato
3/5

Peter Bradshaw

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: | comment Comment | Mar., 07 2008 09:36 AM

Guardian [UK]

splat
2/5

James Christopher

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 07 2008 09:23 AM

Times [UK]

splat
2/5

Demetrios Matheou

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: | comment Comment | Mar., 07 2008 09:15 AM

Channel 4 Film

tomato
4/5

Paul Arendt

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: | comment Comment | Mar., 07 2008 08:40 AM

BBC

splat
2/6

Dave Calhoun

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: | comment Comment | Mar., 07 2008 08:28 AM

Time Out

tomato
3/5

Elliott Noble

Worthy of thine attention? Corset is.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 07 2008 06:09 AM

Sky Movies

tomato
3/5

Will Lawrence

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: | comment Comment | Mar., 07 2008 05:59 AM

Empire Magazine

splat

Fernando F. Croce

Dreary

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 27 2009 12:58 AM

CinePassion

splat
6/10

Heather Huntington

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: | comment Comment | Sep., 08 2008 12:26 PM

ReelzChannel.com

tomato
3.5/4

Austin Kennedy

A very entertaining and involving story of family and sacrifice.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 22 2008 12:31 PM

Sin Magazine

tomato
4/5

Karina Montgomery

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: | comment Comment | Jul., 17 2008 10:32 PM

Cinerina

splat
3/5

Pablo Villaca

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 | Jul., 10 2008 11:14 PM

Cinema em Cena

splat
.5/5

Matthew Sorrento

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: | comment Comment | Jun., 21 2008 10:17 PM

Film Threat

splat
2/4

Peter Canavese

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: | comment Comment | Jun., 09 2008 03:12 PM

Groucho Reviews

tomato

Prairie Miller

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: | comment Comment | Jun., 09 2008 11:50 AM

NewsBlaze

splat
C

Robert Roten

If only there was some nobility among these royals.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 28 2008 01:17 PM

Laramie Movie Scope

tomato

Richard Knight

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: | comment Comment | May., 22 2008 05:36 PM

Windy City Times

tomato
3/5

Alonso Duralde

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: | comment 1 Comment | May., 01 2008 04:46 PM

MSNBC

tomato
3/5

Mike Sage

With plenty of betrayal, attempted incest and beheadings crammed into this period episode of The Young and the Restless, The Other Boleyn Sister has appeal in an otherwise stiff genre.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 15 2008 06:47 PM

Peterborough This Week

 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
all

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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