Monday, March 31, 2008

The Other Boleyn Girl



You know how you usually go to a movie and you either like it more than you thought you would or you like it less? This was one of those rare occasions for me where I liked it exactly the amount I thought I would. Fortunately, I knew I would like this movie. This movie genre is my FAVORITE. Romantic Drama. (I don't actually know if that's what it's called but I can't think of a better name for it) I love me some good heart-wrenching, tragic, raw emotional, intense drama. No comic relief for this girl. Serve it up nice and depressing-like.

I'd heard of Ann Boleyn before, only that she was one of the wives of Henry VIII and was famous for getting her head chopped off. (No I did NOT just give away a huge spoiler, this is HISTORY people. Didn't you pay attention in history? No? Me neither. I actually know this from the movie Steel Magnolias. Remember the scene where they're in Dolly Parton's beauty salon and someone reads from a magazine that Anne Boleyn had six fingers on one hand? It's a funny scene, go watch it.) Anyway, that was all I knew. So I was slightly intrigued by the other Boleyn girl. (Did you like that play on the title? I know, genius.)

Apparently Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) had a sister, Mary, (Scarlett Johansson) who was known as the "fairer of the two." (It still makes me laugh that Scarlett Johansson is one of the "bombshells" of Hollywood now. She will always be the incredibly homely girl from The Horse Whisperer to me.) Their father, in an attempt to raise their status from lower class to...whatever, ships them off to the King (Eric Bana, who is scrum-diddly) upon hearing His Majesty is seeking a mistress. What plays out is a fascinating look at 16th century England, the politics of royal life, and the powerful relationships between siblings, and, more specifically, sisters.

What I liked:

~ My only fear in seeing this was that it would be chalk full of graphic love scenes. I think the previews were 90% bedroom scenes. But I was hopeful that with the PG13 rating would come the good ole' scan-to-the-walls-and-window shots. I was not let down. I was actually shocked (pleasantly so) at the lack of graphic love scenes. (Don't get me wrong, it's not squeaky clean. There is one scene in particular, albeit short, that made me a tad uncomfortable to be watching with my gal pals.)

~ Scarlett Johansson. I know what I just said about her, but it was nice to see her play the "sweet, innocent" one, when the obvious choice is usually for her to play the sex kitten. She was entirely convincing as a virtuous, loving, devoted sister and wife who only wanted to do what was right by her God and her family. Natalie Portman wasn't as convincing for me as the "bad one." I think maybe I like her too much or maybe it's that I've never seen her play the "villain." I don't know. It was just weird for me to watch her be so conniving and vicious.

~ Eric Bana. (Did I mention how yummy he was?) I've never seen him in anything really, and I really, really liked him. A lot. Now I can finally stop thinking of him as the Incredible Hulk. He will now be known as the Incredible Hunk.

~ The most satisfying thing to me was that despite the twists and turns in the storyline, the back-and-forth relationships between Henry, Anne and Mary, and the always confusing web of who-is-related-to-who and who-is-together-with-who that accompanies all English society of olden times (see Jane Austen's works), I was able to follow it. All. Nothing makes me hate a movie more or lose interest more quickly than being confused by the story.

My only complaint is that despite all this, it was still just good. Not great, not spectacular, just... good. I'm not sure why, maybe it was the lack of surprises or graphic love scenes (just kidding), but I probably won't be standing in Walmart at 11:59 the night before it comes out on DVD. I will buy it, though, and maybe have a good ole' depressing, tragic, heart-wrenching girls' night in to watch it. You know you wanna come.

19 comments:

tharker said...

Great review once again Alicia! I had never even heard of this movie until recently. And no, apparently I wasn't paying too close of attention in History class either because I didn't even connect Anne Boelyn until you mentioned the head chopping.

My favorite line from this post:
"serve it up nice and depressing like". Awesome!!!

Heather said...

I loved that line too, Tiff! Good review, when you buy it we'll have to watch it on Marilyn's clearplay so we don't all get a little uncomfy with the "one little scene" that made you squirm. ha ha.

Sad attempt at humor, yes. We'll chalk it up to pregnancy hormones.

Noelle said...

my favorite line is 'scrum-diddly'. ha ha ha. thanks for the post on the movie. i'll make sure i just get it for a buck at mcdonalds. i just watched 'august rush'. have you seen that one? i LOVED it.

Alicia said...

Noelle~ McDonald's? Huh? What's that about? No, I haven't seen August Rush but it's at the top of my list to see. Honestly, the previews for it did nothing for me but I've heard so much rave about it I must see it.

Kristi said...

Hmmm... well, based on your review and others I've read on the internet, this movie is still at the lower end of my Netflix queue (when it's released). But if you happen to buy it and invite some friends over to watch it, call me!

dandee said...

Great review! I only heard bad things about this movie, now I'm intrigued to see it for myself. Can I come to your girl's night?

Kate said...

Great review...Heather is going to laugh at me if she sees this....if you liked the movie, the book is 100 times better and it is pretty darn clean. I love reading your blog and your thoughts on things :)

Brenda said...

I had removed this movie from my "to see" list thinking that it would be to full of "scenes" It is good to hear that it is not as bad as they made it out to be.

debsters said...

I mean this with all sincerety when I tell you that you are deep. I mean the average person could not come out of a movie and give a thorough insightful review like this: it's a real talent Alicia. Thanks for the info.

Jessica said...

Great review! I agree with debsters, you have a great talent. I sat right by you watching this movie and there is no way I could do a review like that, mine would say:

Eric Bana....mmmmm....yummy!

HAHA!! I did like this movie, I hadn't heard about it which I think sometimes is a good thing, that way you have an open mind about it!

Alicia said...

Debie, Jessica, you just made my day. No, my week. I can't tell you what a compliment that is to me. It's something that truly fascinates me, the complexity of people and life. I'm glad I can convey my deep thoughts in words so that it makes sense and not come across as crazy or boring.

Sara said...

Can't wait to check it out and if you happen to do a girls night let me know?

AOlson said...

Thank you for such an amazing review. I really want to see the movie. I always look forward to your posts.

Lisa said...

OK, thanks to you mentioning that you had this review coming, I have picked up the pace on the reading of this book. I think I'll have it read in a few days and then I will have to go see it for sure.

Marilyn said...

Alicia. I. Love. You. and your reviews.

I know I will love this movie because of three reasons.

1. I love period films. The costumes. The language. The whole thing. Period films rock my world. Oh, and I love Steel Magnolias. Not a period film, but I love it anyways.

2. I love Scarlett Johansson

3. I love Natalie Portman.

Marilyn said...

Oh, I just read the rest of the comments and everyone is welcome to come watch it on my clearplay with me when it comes out! That would be fun.

Shayla said...

I was surprisingly happy with this movie. I didn't know anything about Ann Boleyn or the "other" Boleyn or people getting their heads cut off, so it was all a surprise to me. That said, I was totally expecting it to be that "kind" of movie...like you said, a romantic drama. Emphasis on the drama. I loved the portrayal of the sisters relationship, it was worth watching for me just for that. I guess I need to pick up the book and check it out...

Terilyn said...

OK - I wondered if I wanted to see this movie or not (Mike's attendence was a definate NO), now after reading your post - I want to, but maybe just at your house at the "sounds super fun" girls night in.

andrea said...

I'm glad I now have someone I trust to see movies for me before I waste my time! I really want to see this movie, but I know there's NO way Barlow will go for it. Did you know it's a book? It's next on my to-read. PS I'm reading your blog now.