Year of Release: 2008Country of Origin: UK, USA
Director: Justin Chadwick
Cast: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana
Plot outline: Based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Philippa Gregory, it tells a romanticized account of the lives of 16th-century aristocrats Mary Boleyn, one-time mistress of King Henry VIII, and her sister Anne, who became the monarch's ill-fated second wife, though much history is distorted (IMDb).
One of the few facts schoolchildren learn about history is that King Henry VIII had six wives. That's Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. What they don't teach in school is that he also had many mistresses, among them Anne Boleyn's own sister, Mary. In trying to present Anne as a modern heroine the movie puts her very much in charge of her own destiny, revealing little of her terror at the fate she knew must await her if she failed to keep the King's favour. Only in the latter part of it, which is rather rushed, do we see her start to panic, which rather insults her intelligence, suggesting she didn't understand the magnitude of what she was doing (hurting her sister, wrecking a marriage, challenging the authority of the Pope himself and putting her own life in danger in the process - that was always at the core of what made her interesting and sexy, a remarkable individual despite the manipulation she could not escape). Portraying a woman of such character is no easy task, and it's unfortunate that the task has fallen to Natalie Portman. Whilst adequate in the role, she has none of the fire which might explain why Henry's passion for her would echo down the centuries. This might be easier to ignore if she weren't so often onscreen with Scarlet Johansson. Though the part of Mary has been much reduced from the novel, Johansson, all subtle glances and understated body language, is still able to make a great deal of it. Even when relegated to the background of the story, she is a strong and affecting presence. Eric Bana is passable as Henry in a version more sympathetic than the historical figure deserved. His intelligence and his diplomatic skills come through better here than in many previous movies, making him seem more realistic as a ruler. Despite its various flaws, the movie is a highly watchable and entertaining movie. There's drama on an epic scale, with the tension mounting as Anne tries to string the King along and consolidate her own power base. We know it can only end in tears, but it's gripping nonetheless. (JK)
My judgement: **1/2 out of 4 stars
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