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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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81 - 100 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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If you're indifferent to silly revisions of history and bad acting, you may enjoy The Other Boleyn Girl. I'm not, and I didn't.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Observer | comment Comment
02/29/08
Lawrence Toppman
Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer

The Other Boleyn Girl is the kind of potted historical drama that's not good enough to take seriously and, sadly, not bad enough to be any fun.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
02/29/08
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Boston Globe

This rendering of the turbulent second marriage of England's King Henry VIII ( Eric Bana) proves too heavy-footed for the old movie two-step of setting up a morality tale, then exploiting it for heat and titillation.

Full Review Source: Baltimore Sun | comment Comment
02/29/08
Michael Sragow
Michael Sragow
Baltimore Sun

Director Justin Chadwick... seems to have suddenly woken up behind the camera, with no idea of how he got there or what kind of film this is.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
02/29/08
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

...a slightly steamy, highly romanticized period melodrama with real movie stars and a commensurate costume budget.

Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | comment Comment
02/29/08
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

There are enough of these films now that you can stitch them all together and come away with a complete (if completely inaccurate) history of jolly old England.

Full Review Source: Colorado Springs Gazette | comment Comment
02/29/08
Brandon Fibbs
Brandon Fibbs
Colorado Springs Gazette

...a mix of history, lurid melodrama, sex, politics, and two top-notch actresses, making for a most entertaining brew.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
02/29/08
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

If you thought Elizabeth: The Golden Age was over the top, just wait until you get a load of how her mother is portrayed in this risible soap opera.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
02/29/08
Laura Clifford
Laura Clifford
Reeling Reviews

When the executioner finally makes his appearance at the end, it will probably inspire the kind of delirious relief and good cheer from audiences that is usually only experienced when Christopher Walken makes an unexpected cameo

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
02/29/08
Peter Sobczynski
Peter Sobczynski
eFilmCritic.com

The Other Boleyn Girl pretends to be a serious historical romance, but it's really just a bodice-ripper, a cheap Harlequin paperback dressed up in frilly clothes.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
02/29/08
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

It's history, British people, royal family, they need sons%u2026 Yeah.

Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment Comment
02/28/08
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
Can Magazine

The Other Boleyn Girl is the Tudors as a romantic, sexy soap opera. With its beautiful young cast, this adaptation of Philippa Gregory's best-selling potboiler is delicious fun.

Full Review Source: TheDivaReview.com | comment Comment
02/28/08
Diva Velez
Diva Velez
TheDivaReview.com

Fascinating in its depiction of a troubled relationship between sisters that is anything but black and white. This emotionally ripe angle to a tragic story that could have been told any number of ways is where the film gets its potency.

Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
02/28/08
Dustin Putman
Dustin Putman
DustinPutman.com

You have to rely on more than fancy costumes to make a period piece interesting.

Full Review Source: WaffleMovies.com | comment Comment
02/28/08
Willie Waffle
Willie Waffle
WaffleMovies.com

This soap opera with some really silly scenes is not even close to Phillipa Gregory's spellbinding book.

Full Review Source: Tolucan Times | comment Comment
02/28/08
Tony Medley
Tony Medley
Tolucan Times

Take away the sumptuous settings and Hollywood glamour and what you have here is like Henry VIII for Dummies enacted by the cast of the OC.

Full Review Source: Beliefnet | comment Comment
02/28/08
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Beliefnet

superficial and staged

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
02/28/08
Bill Gibron
Bill Gibron
Filmcritic.com

Chest-heaving displays of humiliation and social positioning...Other Boleyn Girl isn't high art, but it's juicy; 2008's first guilty pleasure.

Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com | comment Comment
02/28/08
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
DVDTalk.com

Not much of a visual epic maybe, but an absorbing, exciting costume drama that works as a historical romance, a family tragedy and a showcase for its young stars.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
02/28/08
William Arnold
William Arnold
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The Other Boleyn Girl is a fitting prequel to the Elizabeth movies: It's pretty, passionate, and full of historical poppycock.

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
02/28/08
Tasha Robinson
Tasha Robinson
AV Club
 
 
81 - 100 (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...

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