The Other Boleyn Girl

Ok, so I've been putting off watching this movie in which my friends have given good reviews about it. Until finally, amidst my summer holiday boredom, HBO Hits forced me to finally watch The Other Boleyn Girl.

Directed by Justin Chatwick inspired by the novel written by Philippa Gregory with the same title.

Starring: Scarlett Johanson, Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, and Jim Sturgess (that singing sensation from Across the Universe)

First thing first...the 16th Century...

with huge marvelous dance parties, sophisticated cunning languages, sword fights, horse riding, genuine gentlemen, complete with the corsets and fluffy dresses for the ladies...

is my favourite era of all time!

It all started with a simple plan of woeing the bitter King of England, Henry III (Eric Bana), who has failed to get an heir for his throne from the queen herself. A father with his brother-in-law sends off his eldest daughter, Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) to do the job in order to help their family climb "the social ladder." But the King fell in love (or more like lust) immediately after seeing the already married sister, Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johanson). The whole family is invited to the kingdom realizing the obvious motives from the King, that is to DO Marie of course.

Feeling betrayed, Anne Boleyn secretly married off another guy. Finding this fact, the family banished Anne to France, where she learned to be a witty, sophisticated young lady, thus successfully charm the King, just as Marie is laboring his son. Anne used the completely smitten and horny King to promise her to never to speak to Marie again, thus denying his son; divorced the Queen and making Anne the Queen.

The twist (as if this movie isn't twisted enough)...

Anne gave birth to a girl. His reaction??

King Henry III: "If you can give birth to a healthy daughter... surely you can give birth to a healthy son!" (walkaway)

Ouch! Can you be anymore heartless dude?!

I just love this movie... the plot is pure genius... and surprisingly unpredictable!

It's twisted and literally drains your emotions.

It shows an extreme example of men's E G O... where everything comes easy for them, where they have all the power to get any woman they desire, where they're allow to have several mistress, and get away with it.

I know that Anne (Natalie Portman) is somewhat the "antagonist" here.

But props to her... she played her role wonderfully and I adore her cunning, independent, rebellious character. She's the only woman that could tame the raging King and follow her every comand.

Now I'm a believer of women's emancipation... and that's what I call a woman!