2008 PG-13 115 minutes
Director Justin Chadwick’s opulent historical drama stars Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn and Scarlett Johansson as her sister, Mary — both beautiful, ambitious and vying for the heart of powerful but intemperate King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). Though both women are the monarch’s mistresses, only one can become his queen consort — but at what cost? The supporting cast includes Kristin Scott Thomas and Jim Sturgess.
I gave this movie 3 out of 5 stars. I like period movies. My favorite from this era is Marie Antoinette starring Kirsten Dunst. I like all the costumes, the way they spoke, I just love all the drama that was in that time period. This movie was okay. It was basically an episode of Jerry Springer but set in a different time. Here’s my translation of the movie:
You have King Henry who is married to Queen Antoinette ( I think or Anne Marie or something with an A) but she can’t bear him a son…(if you paid attention in World History you would know the story…I for one took US History, I figured that would be more relative to me, so I don’t know all the stories) and of course they believed that there must be a male heir to the throne…we know now that that’s not exactly necessary seeing as how Queen Elizabeth is the direct descendant and now the Queen of England…but I’m getting ahead of myself. So there is Anne Boleyn and Mary Boleyn…two sisters, whose father offers them to the king to be the king’s mistress to bear the future king of England and therefore secure the family financially. And the movie is about all of the drama that ensues from the king wanting both of the sisters, although one is married, to the move away from the Church of Rome and just a big juicy drama. To me, the story is basically about the greed of the father of the Boleyn girls. He is the center cause for all of the torture and basically a big hot mess that he created for his family. He says all he wanted was the betterment of his family but in the end he caused the polar opposite…he caused the detriment of his family.
So what if you wanted to watch this movie and you’re thinking I’m spoiling it for you?? Oh definitely not the case! There are so many twists and turns to this movie that you will think you’re watching The Young and the Restless. Definitely a chick flick although I’m sure some of you can persuade your male counterparts to watch. Did mine? Of course not! But that’s okay with me, he knows which movies are the important ones…Sex and the City for example. If you think you want to watch this movie, I would definitely like to know what your thoughts are…so please comment if you’ve watched this already or will based off this review!
thanks for stopping by, however I didn't take World History and don't know that history, but I don't claim to either. However, ask me anything about US History after the 1800s and I'm your girl! 🙂
Just want to say that you might want to check some of your history facts. Queen Elizabeth II is not a direct descendent and Henry VIII line was ended after his and Anne Boleyn's daughter, Queen Elizabeth I (who is remembered as of the greatest monarchs in British history) died without any heirs. The throne then passed to a distant cousin from Scotland.
Also, his first wife was Katherine, a Spanish Princess, who could not conceive a son, so he divorced her to marry Anne Boleyn.