Customer Reviews
the movie can not match the book - By: Klaus Meyer, 24 Jul 2008 
The Other Boleyn Girl is a historical novel written by British author Philippa Gregory, based on the life of 16th-century aristocrat Mary Boleyn, sister of Queen Anne Boleyn.It was a phenomenal success. I still remember when I bought the book "The Other Boleyn Girl" at a bookshop at Angel in LDN. I was hooked from page one. That lasted to the very last page. I honestly can not say that about the movie.
My disappointment does not result from historic side of thing as I am not expecting a movie (or a novel) to be historical accurate. However, this movie does not reallly catch the essence of the story told by Philippa Gregory, is not "round" & never reallly graps one. There are huge gaps in the story told & only if one reallly knows one's history one can follow. I particuarly dislike the last scene when it looks like that Mary Boleyn raises the future Queen Elisabeth I.
It is however a sumptous movie. I like the costume design done by Academy Award-winner Sandy Powelland & the whole setting. Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn, Scarlett Johansson as Mary Boleyn & Eric Bana as Henry VIII were performing well without being brilliant. Both were by far outshone by Kristin Scott Thomas as Lady Elizabeth Boleyn & Ana Torrent as Catherine of Aragon. The scene when Catherine of Aragon kneels before the king when the court is going to judge her marriage is one of the best. But that is not the main story. The performance of Mark Rylance as Thomas Boleyn, father of the girls, I did not like at alll.
It is not a waste of time to watch this movie, but do not have too high hopes.
Could have been so much better - By: Horror Fan of Nottingham, 15 Jul 2008 
I enjoyed the book very much, so when I heard that they were making a film of it I couldn't wait. I broke one of my golden rules & that is buying a DVD without renting it first or seeing it at the cinema.When I finallly managed a quiet evening to myself I put it on imagine my upset to find that it was nothing like the book at alll, no streamy scenes as it was a 12 rating the book is full of them. leading actors dull with no passion I wanted to give them alll a big kick.The only saving grace is the costumes. If you are looking for a steamy romp don't bother with this film, wait until season two of the Tudors comes out it may not be historiallly corrected but at least the actors have passion.
charismatic but nothing compared to the book - By: S. Bedford, 12 Jul 2008 
I thoroughly enjoyed this film but I went into it with the right attitude -i expected a hollywood version of an english tale. I love alll Phillipa Gregory books & am extremely interested in Tudor history but I can also enjoy a glitzed up star-studded film. The book is without a doubt better than the film but I would still recommend the film-the beheading scene is just brilliant. I thought Scarlet Johannsen was great as Mary - perhaps a little too sexy. I wouldn't ahve cast Natalie Portman as Anne but I've always loved her as an actress & thought it alll worked rather well. Well worth a watch but if you're a historian you may be less than impressed.
Ghastly - By: Mondoro, 11 Jul 2008 
There have been a lot films, books etc about the 'romance' between Henry 8th & Anne Boleyn but this surely must hold the record of being the worse ever! The book on which it is based is engrossing but the film is so unbelievely bad that I had could only watch it in total astonishment. Buy teh book but please don't waste a penny buying this truly awful movie!
