The 2008 film is based on the story of the Boleyn sisters, who were both involved in affairs with King Henry VIII – though one would meet a tragic end while the other would rise to the highest rank
02:17 ET, 05 Jun 2025Updated 02:38 ET, 05 Jun 2025
The Other Boleyn Girl has a strong cast(Image: Photo credit: Alex Bailey)
This under-the-radar period drama, featuring a young Scarlett Johansson and other A-list stars, has been praised for its “very good” acting. The Other Boleyn Girl, a 2008 film set in the 16th century, spins a tale of Royal romances and forbidden love.
The narrative centers on Mary Boleyn, King Henry VIII’s former lover, and her sister Anne, who was infamously executed by the monarch. According to a Rotten Tomatoes critique: “With all of the dukes, earls, counts, viscounts, countesses, and whatnot to keep track of, The Other Boleyn Girl will probably appeal primarily to fans of British royalty and all of the associated hoopla that goes along with it.”
The era was rife with scandal, and the movie explores the tumultuous events leading to Anne’s tragic end, painting her marriage to the King as a web of deceit and sorrow. Anne Boleyn’s execution in 1536 for treason sparked a revolution, igniting the English Reformation.
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Natalie Portman portrays the doomed Anne Boleyn, with Scarlett Johansson as Mary, and Eric Bana embodies King Henry VIII, reports the Liverpool Echo.
(Image: SUNDAY MIRROR)
Portman, coming off her role in the iconic V for Vendetta, dons hair extensions for her part in this film. Critics have noted: “Very good acting from both Portman and Johansson. An overall good watch. Not periodically sound, but the execution was very good.”
The Other Boleyn Girl is a captivating portrayal of a family’s power struggle as they vie for the king’s affection.
The film not only offers a glimpse into the alleged behind-the-scenes drama of the Royal family, but it also provides a backdrop of a significant period in British history when Henry VIII introduced divorce. While many viewers agree that the performances make the movie enjoyable, it has also faced its share of criticism.
One viewer commented: “I found the movie to be very entertaining. I don’t know what happened in the past history for the events that occurred, but the movie itself was quite good.”
Upon its release, The Guardian gave the film a modest three out of five stars, labeling it a “flashy, silly, undeniably entertaining Tudor romp”. One viewer described the movie as “A regularly told tale”.
They added: “Here it is told well with a great cast delivering performances that are trying to keep pace given the squeezing of so much into such a relatively short time frame. Yes, it takes liberties with the original story…but how else do you retell it?”.
“Certainly worth a watch.”
To see Hollywood stars like never before portraying beautiful British aristocrats, you can now stream The Other Boleyn Girl on Netflix.
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